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The Boys’ Big Game Series 


THE KING BEAR OF KADIAK 
ISLAND 


The 
Boys’ 

Big 
Game 
Series 

THE GIANT MOOSE* The monarch of the big Northwest; a story told 
over camp fires in the reek of cedar smoke and the silence of the barrens. 

THE WHITE TIGER OF NEPAL* The weird story of the man-killer 
of the foothills. Tinged with the mysticism of India, dramatic and stirring. 

THE BUND LION OF THE CONGO. A story of the least 
known part of the earth and hs most f^cd beast. A gripping tale of the 
land of the white pigmies. 

, THE KING BEAR OF KADIAK ISLAND* A tale of the 

bally of the Frozen North and his mysterious guardian. A game-and- 
man-story that makes a good boy-story. 

The topnotch of production in boys* books. Remarkable 
covers and four-color jackets. Illustrations and 
cover designs by Dan Sayre Grosbeck, 

Price, 60 cents each 



The REILLY & BRITTON CO. 

PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO 


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It was the biggest bear the boys had ever seen. lie came 
slowly around the alder bushes, sniffing the air suspiciously. 
As he saw the boys he stopped. 


THE 

KING BEAR 

OF KADIAK ISLAND 


BY 

ELLIOTT WHITNEY 


Illustrated by Dan Sayre Groesbeck 


The Reilly & Britton Co. 
Chicago 




THE KING BEAR OF KADIAK ISLAND 



GCLA316676 

r 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I Bows AND Arrows 9 

II Jim Long 18 

III Off for Kadiak 30 

IV The Man with the Glass Eye 39 

V Bear Stories 50 

VI Chapman or Keeler 62 

VII At Kadiak 70 

VIII More Bear Stories 82 

IX Bribing the Astronom 95 

X Captain Bouranoff’s Sloop 106 

XI The Otter Hunt 115 

XII A Kovel Toast 124 

XIII The Barabara in the Hills 134 

XIV A Trail in the Snow 144 

XV The First Bear 155 

XVI ‘ ‘ A Great Big Bear ’ ^ 169 

XVII Tchort on Archie’s Trail 182 

XVIII The Cave in the Air 194 

XIX Old Midwit and Long Hair 204 

XX The Mystery of Hank Loomis 218 

XXI The Search for Archie 230 

XXII The Fight 241 

XXIII The Last of the King of the 

Kadiaks 252 



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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


It was the biggest bear the boys had ever 
seen. He came slowly around the alder 
bushes, sniffing the air suspiciously. As he 
saw the boys he stopped. Frontispiece 

As they came around the steerage cabin Luke 
Chapman was hurrying by. As he passed, 
his good eye met the gaze of Jim Long, and 
the latter stopped short with a gasp. Page 48^^ 

The barabara by the river. Page 136 

Back and forth they swayed, now close to the 
edge and then back against the wall or into 
the mouth of the cave. Page 246 



The King Bear of 
Kadiak Island 

CHAPTEE I 

BOWS AND AKROWS 

“ Great! ’’ 

“ Did you ever see anything like it? ’’ 

‘‘ He’s another Robin Hood! ” 

‘‘ Or a William Tell! ” 

Excitement ran high at the seventh annual 
meet of the Sierra Archery Club. It was in the 
month of March and the last day of the meet, 
which was almost exclusively a club affair. The 
scene would have been novel to the uninitiated 
beholder; two rows of large varicolored targets 
opposite each other, white tents pitched here and 
there, tapelines stretched over the ground, and 
the confusing and unintelligible method of reck- 
oning scores. 

How the tall, frontier-looking individual who 
created the excitement got into the golf club 
grounds where the meet was being held, nobody 
seemed to know. 


9 


10 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

He appeared to be out of place in the aristo- 
cratic gathering. His clothes were of the best 
material but fitted him poorly. One facetious 
snob suggested to an elbow neighbor that he was 
a cow-puncher who had struck it rich in the Klon- 
dike. The maker of the remark might have been 
surprised to learn that he was half right. 

Ordinarily this odd individual would have at- 
tracted attention by his personal appearance 
alone. And this is what happened in a number 
of instances before he gave exhibition of the skill 
that caused the excitement. 

Among those whose attention had been thus 
attracted were two boys, Ealph Nelson and 
Arthur Ellis, cousins and members of the juvenile 
branch of the archery club. Both of these boys 
were pleased with the stranger’s appearance. 
They paid little attention to the fit of his clothes. 
And when he volunteered compliments on their 
skill in the mixed contest, the last event of the 
meet, they began to regard him as a friend. 

Of course neither Ealph nor Arthur, or Archie, 
as he was familiarly called, won first prize in this 
contest, but each of them shot so well that some 
of the more skillful men looked worried for a 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 11 

while lest they have to acknowledge being de- 
feated by a ‘‘ pair of kids.’’ 

If I had the trainin’ o’ those youngsters six 
months, not a man in the crowd could touch ’em,” 
the tall stranger was heard to remark. They’ve 
got the stuff in ’em, an’ all they need is a little 
more nerve an’ eye.” 

Whether these words were uttered for his own 
or other ears seemed uncertain, but Ralph’s 
father, who was standing near, replied : 

What do you know about archery? ” 

Not a terrible lot,” he replied. “ But I used 
to do the Robin Hood act o’ splittin’ arrows, an’ 
I was just wonderin’ if I couldn’t do it to that 
one,” referring to an arrow sticking in one of the 
targets at the farther base. 

‘‘ Do you mean to say that you could split a 
shaft at such a distance,” inquired Mr. Nelson 
with a seemingly incredulous smile. 

If I had a good short bow, I’d try it just for 
luck. It’s been purty near a year since I’ve 
pulled the string o’ my Kadiak, but I reckon I 
hain’t lost much o’ my nerve and eye.” 

Why not try it with one of our bows? ” sug- 
gested Mr. Nelson. 


12 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


With a good longbow I likely could do it, but 
I don^t like your six-foot lancewoods. They’re 
unscientific. ’ ’ 

I tell you what I’ll do for you : I’ll give you 
a good longbow — let you take your pick from all 
on the grounds — and five arrows, and if with one 
of them you split that shaft on the target. I’ll give 
you a hundred dollars.” 

By this time, the day’s contests being finished, 
a crowd had gathered around Mr. Nelson and the 
stranger. Ealph and Archie were among the 
listeners. 

Well,” said the challenged visitor, s’pose 
I find a bow that suits me, and s ’pose I split that 
shaft with my first arrow, an’ the first with the 
second, an’ the second with the third, an’ the third 
with the fourth, an’ the fourth with the last — 
what then? ” 

A number of gasps and guffaws followed this 
bluff,” as it was generally regarded. 

‘‘ He’s crazy,” cried one of the prize winners 
of the meet. ‘‘ There isn’t a man in the world 
can do that. This shaft-splitting business’ll do 
for fairy tales, but not for the Sierra Club.” 

‘‘ Crazy, be I? ” retorted the boaster.” 


The King Bear of Kadiah Island 13 

Mebbe you’ll take me up on this: You stan’ be- 
hind that building over there an’ stick your nose 
past the corner, an’ I’ll stan’ off thirty yards an’ 
if I don’t nip the end o’ that nose o:ff, I’ll give you 
a hundred dollars.” 

This proposal was received with yells of ap- 
plause. The man to whom the offer was made 
had a conspicuously long nose. 

‘‘ If you don’t want to stick your nose out, you 
can stick out your little finger,” added the tall 
man. ‘ ‘ If I win, all I ask for is the finger or the 
nose.” 

A second burst of laughter followed these added 
conditions. Everybody except the man with the 
long nose was good-natured. 

Now will you be good? ” called out one of the 
Jokers of the crowd. 

I want to see the color of his coin before I 
enter into any such agreement,” replied the 
doubter. 

^ ‘ Have a look at it, then, ’ ’ said Mr. Long-man, 
drawing a bankbook from his pocket and tossing 
it toward Mr. Long-nose. 

The latter picked up the book and looked into 


14 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

it and Ms eyes opened very wide at the entry he 
beheld. 

“ I don’t want your money,” he said with an 
effort to smile humorously. ‘‘I’m afraid you 
might need it for your wife and babies.” 

“ Ain’t got none,” was the reply of the owner 
of the bankbook as he received it back. “ I’m a 
bachelor — been one all my life. I was so smart 
lookin’ when I was born ’at they put me down in 
the family Bible for forty years old to start with. ’ ’ 

This retort was received with laughter on the 
part of the good-natured crowd. 

“I’m not going to risk my nose or my little 
finger in any such fool game as this,” said the 
skeptical archer with a toss of disdain at the 
stranger’s wit, “ but I move tMs bluffer be 
forced to give an exhibition of his wonderful 
skill.” 

“ Glad to oblige you,” replied the tall man 
quickly. “ Fetch along your lancewood and hemp 
string an’ I’ll try to entertain you. How about 
our agreement. Mister? ” This was addressed 
to Mr. Nelson. 

“ If you split three out of five. I’ll give you 
four hundred dollars,” promised the latter. “ If 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 15 

you split four, I’ll give you five hundred. If you 
split the five, I’ll give you seven hundred. But 
how about you? Suppose you don’t split any, 
what do I get? ” 

It’s against my moral principles to gamble,” 
was the other’s reply. ‘‘ I don’t like to play for 
big stakes anyway. Let’s wipe out your offer an’ 
put it this way: If I don’t split three arrows. I’ll 
throw up my hat and let you shoot at it, an’ if I 
do, you throw up your hat an’ let me shoot at it.” 

“ That’s a go,” agreed Mr. Nelson. 

An armful of bows were placed before the queer 
character and he went through them rapidly. He 
pulled the strings and bent the elastic wood in a 
manner that at least showed him to be familiar 
with the weapon. 

I don’t like any o’ these,” he announced. 

They’re all too weak.” 

Now, he’s crawfishing,” said the stranger’s 
original critic with a sneer. 

“ No I ain’t doin’ no such thing,” was the quick 
reply. ‘‘ All I ask for is to see every bow here 
until I find what I want. If I don’t find it. I’ll 
take the best.” 


16 The Boys* Big Game Series 

My boy has a good strong bow,’’ said Mr. 
Nelson. Here, Kalph, let him look at yours.” 

Ealph brought forth his Spanish yew and 
offered it for inspection. The man looked pleased 
as he took it, strung it and pulled the string. 

That’s all right,” he said. I couldn’t ask 
for a better longbow. Now let’s have a look at 
your darts.” 

Several dozen arrows were placed before him 
and he went through these as if a glance at each 
was enough for his experienced eye. He soon 
selected five arrows. Then, nocking one, he faced 
the target. The arrows flew in quick succession 
with seeming carelessness on the part of the 
archer. 

The excitement was intense. It was the en- 
thusiasm of sportsmen. Men, women and children 
joined in the ringing cheers. Mr. Boaster ” 
rapidly made good his boast. 

One, the arrow sped true to the mark, the steel 
tip drilling into the end of the arrow in the target 
and splitting several inches otf one side ; two, the 
archer’s first shaft lost a sliver; three, the flying 
shaft just touched the end of number 2 and was 
deflected so that it missed the target; number 4 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 17 

was planted by the side of number 2, hugging up 
close ; and number 5 split its way through half the 
length of number 4, was deflected slightly and 
stuck in the target. 

The ease, the unconcern, the rapidity with which 
these wonders were performed held the spectators 
spellbound. Mr. Nelson held his hat ready to toss 
into the air and said to the marksman : 

You won. Get ready. Up goes my hat.’’ 

I don’t want to spoil your lid,” replied the 
tall individual, returning the bow to its owner. 
Then, facing about, he walked with long strides 
toward the exit of the golf grounds. 


CHAPTER II 


JIM LONG 

‘‘ Say, won’t you tell me your name*? ” 

Ralph Nelson, wondering, eager, admiring, had 
slipped away from the crowd of archers and 
spectators and hastened around the golf club 
buildings to the exit just as the stranger was go- 
ing out. They passed through the gate together. 

My name? ” said the man as he slowed his 
pace. ‘‘ S’pose you call me Robin Hood.” 

‘‘ But that isn’t your name,” objected Ralph. 

I don’t believe Robin Hood could shoot as well 
as you can. ’ ’ 

I won’t argue that point with you, ’cause I 
don’t know much about Mr. Hood. I only beared 
tell of him. But I reckon he must ’a’ been as 
good as me or he wouldn’t ’a’ got his name in a 
book.” 

Oh, there’s lots o’ people that don’t deserve 
it who get their names in books,” said Ralph. 
“ There’s Jesse James, you know. He didn’t de- 
serve to get his name in a book.” 

18 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 19 

‘‘ No, I s’pose not. But what do you want my 
name for? Want to put it in a book? 

‘‘ No, I didn’t think of that, though you’d make 
a dandy Robin Hood story. You’d better let me 
get acquainted with you an’ when I get a little 
older, maybe I’ll write a book about you.” 

The man laughed, and the laugh indicated that 
the idea was not unpleasant to him. Then he said : 

‘‘ My name’s Jim Long. What’s yourn? ” 

“ Ralph Nelson. That was my bow you used.” 

Yes, I recollect. It’s a good bow, too, only 
it’s too long. I’d like to learn you how to shoot 
with a real bow. You could do what I done with 
the right kind o’ leamin’.” 

‘‘ I wish you’d teach me, Mr. Long. That’s just 
what I ran after you for. Maybe you won’t have 
time to, but I want you to come an’ see us if you 
can. Father’d like you to come, too, I know.” 

That so? We-ell I don’t know but mebbe I 
will, seein’s you’ve ast me. Where d’you live? ” 

Ralph gave the man his address and Jim Long 
wrote it down on a piece of paper and tucked it 
into his vest pocket. 

When’ll you come? ” asked the boy. 

In a day or two.” 


20 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


“ Come to-morrow evening for dinner/’ 

‘‘ All right. Good-bye.” 

Good-bye.” 

Ealph returned to the scene of the recent con- 
tests and found his father, mother, sister Aleta 
and cousin Arthur waiting for him. They were 
sitting in Mr. Nelson’s touring car. Ealph got in 
by his father’s side and the automobile was driven 
homeward. 

‘‘ Did you catch him? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

‘‘ How’d you know what I was doing? ” asked 
Ealph. 

‘‘ Oh, that was easy enough to guess.” 

Yes, I caught him. He’s coming over to-mor- 
row evening.” 

Good.” 

There was a twinkle in Mr. Nelson’s eye that 
Ealph did not catch. If he had caught it, the boy 
undoubtedly would have inquired what it meant. 
All the way home the man chuckled to himself and 
stole glances at the boy at his side, now and then 
with a smile that seemed to say, I’ve put some- 
thing over on you, Ealph.” 

The Nelsons lived in a suburb of San Francisco. 
Mr. Nelson was a wealthy merchant, fond of busi- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 21 

ness and healthful out-of-door sports in their 
proper season, and his only son Ralph had shown 
an inclination to follow in his footsteps. Arthur 
Ellis was an orphan, son of Mr. Nelson’s only 
sister, and when the boy became parentless Uncle 
Will took him home and practically adopted him. 
Hence, Ralph and Arthur regarded each other as 
brothers more than as cousins 
Jim Long did not call at the Nelson home for 
dinner on the next evening. He felt that the occa- 
sion would be entirely too “ swell for the likes of 
him.” So he waited until after the dinner hour 
and then set out for the place. 

He found Mr. Nelson and the two boys awaiting 
his arrival, and was conducted into a large and 
beautifully furnished room. 

I’m glad to meet you again, Mr. Long,” said 
Mr. Nelson. You created quite a sensation at 
the meet yesterday. But as you’d given me one 
exhibition of your skill, I wasn’t at all surprised.” 

‘‘ What’s that? ” inquired Ralph in astonish- 
ment. I thought he was a stranger to you, pa.” 

“ That’s where you were mistaken,” replied his 
father, laughing. Mr. Long and I have been 
very good friends for about five weeks.” 


22 The Boys* Big Game Series 

* But wliy didn ’t you tell some of the rest of us 
about it? ’’ 

Oh, I wanted to surprise you. I gave him a 
pass into the grounds, and it was all pre-arranged 
that he should do just what he did.” 

* *■ Then when he praised Archie ’s and my shoot- 
ing it was all taffy? ” asked Ealph, with a smile 
at his own humiliation. 

Mr. Nelson had not expected this interpretation, 
and he did not know how to answer it at once. Jim 
Long, however, came to his relief. 

‘‘ No,” said the caller; ‘‘ I meant that all 
right. ’ * 

“ Pa’s such a joker we never know whether to 
take him seriously or not,” said Ralph. ‘‘ Are 
you sure he didn’t ask you to praise our shooting 
just to see us get puffed up? ” 

Long looked at Mr. Nelson and Mr. Nelson 
winked at Long. 

‘‘ I thought there was something funny about 
that whole business,” said Ealph, “ and now I 
know what was the matter.” 

“ But I meant what I said,” declared Long, 
although he could not keep a smile from his face. 

This is how it came about,” explained Mr. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 23 

Nelson. I met Mr. Long while I was making a 
study of that Yana Indian, Ishi, that Prof. Kroe- 
ber of the state xmiversity calls the ‘ least civil- 
ized man in the world. ’ Ishi, you know, lived all 
alone in the mountains and hunted game with a 
short bow. I found Mr. Long also making in- 
quiries about the Indian and we got acquainted. 
He found out that I was interested in archery and 
told me his own history as a hunter with the 
Indian weapon.’^ 

‘ ‘ Do you hunt with a bow and arrows ? ^ ’ asked 
Ralph, addressing Long. 

I ain’t gone huntin’ much for a year,” re- 
plied the latter. ‘‘ I was diggin’ gold up in the 
Klondike an’ didn’t have much time for anything 
else. Before that I was at it all the time.” 

‘‘ Didn’t you ever use a gun? ” asked Archie. 

Hardly ever. Fifteen years ago three friends 
an’ me was huntin’ here in California, an’ we 
come across an Indian alone in the mountains — 
I thought Ishi was the same fellow, but he wasn’t 
— He was goin’ to run away but we got the drop 
on him an’ he stopped. 

One of the fellows could talk Indian lingo, an’ 
we found out the wild man lived alone an’ killed 


24 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

game with his bow an’ arrows. I’d used a bow a 
little an’ could shoot purty good, but when I saw 
that Indian shoot, I was the most surprised fel- 
low you ever saw. He had a strong bow of mul- 
berry wood ’bout four foot long, an’ could hit a 
mark with it as good as I could with my rifle, an’ 
I was a crackin’ good shot too. After we’d 
proved to him that he needn’t be afraid of us, he 
showed us all kinds o’ funny things he’d do. 
After we left him we four fellers made some bows 
and arrows an’ practiced with ’em until we got to 
be such good shots we quit carryin’ guns. It was 
lots o’ fun shootin’ bears, moose, bighorn, birds 
and squirrels like the Indians shot ’em.” 

Long talked much that evening of his experi- 
ences as a hunter, trapper, gold seeker and rolling 
stone. His hearers inferred correctly from cer- 
tain of his remarks that he had struck it rich in 
the Klondike and had returned with something of 
a fortune. He interested Mr. Nelson and the boys 
especially by his accounts of hunting adventures 
in Alaska. Ealph and his father and Archie had 
hunted a good deal in the United States, but none 
of them had been up in the wilder regions of the 
North where game was larger and more plentiful. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 25 

They had all read, too, of the magnificent scenery 
of Alaska, and they plied Long with many ques- 
tions regarding that section of the continent. 

‘‘ That’s the only place to hunt now,” declared 
the visitor. ‘‘ Got to tramp a long while an’ 
freeze lots o’ times, but it’s there. An’ when you 
get it, you’re mighty pleased with yourself.” 

“ Where is the best hunting in Alaska! ” 
asked Ealph. ‘ ‘ I mean the biggest game. ’ ’ 

‘‘ I s’pose there’s nothin’ better to be found 
anywhere than the big bear of Kadiak Island. 
He’s a dandy. Biggest man-hugger that lives 
anywhere. Mighty hard to get at though. He’s 
got awful foxy. Sometimes he don’t show hisself 
in the daytime at all — just comes out at night, 
scoops up some salmon out o’ the crick or crops 
off some salmonberry, an’ back he goes to his 
cave. ’ ’ 

You spoke of a bow that you called your 
^ Kadiak ’ yesterday,” said Ealph. ‘‘ Why did 
you call it that? ” 

It’s a bone bow made by a Kadiak half-breed. 
I got it up there three years ago. ’ ’ 

Did you kill any Kadiak bear? ” asked Ealph. 

Yes. I shot two with my bone bow. One of 


26 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


’em was a whopper. Weighed nearly eight hun- 
dred pounds.” 

‘‘ Don’t they use rifles up there to hunt with? ” 
asked Archie. 

“ The white hunters do an’ that’s just what’s 
the trouble. The noise o’ the guns scares the 
bears into their holes. They’re mighty leery of 
cornin’ out, an’ when they do they walk on their 
tiptoes and peek around the corners. ’ ’ 

Do you ever think of going back to Kadiak? ” 
inquired Mr. Nelson. 

Once in a while I do. It’s a mighty fine place 
in summer.” 

Boys, bow’d you like to go to Alaska to hunt 
Kadiak bear? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

^ ^ Oh, say, would we ? ” exclaimed Ralph. ‘ ^ Do 
you really mean it, pa? ” 

You don’t often hear me say things I don’t 
mean, do you? It’s a place I’ve often thought 
I’d like to visit. But if we go, I’d want to induce 
our friend to go along. He’d be a good hunting 
companion. ’ ’ 

‘‘I’m willin’,” said Long. “ Ain’t got nothin’ 
else to do. I’d like to learn these two lads how 
to shoot bear with a bow.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 27 

‘‘ Wouldn’t that be great sport? ” said Archie. 

We’d learn how to shoot like Mr. Long,” said 
Ralph. 

An’ kill the King o’ the Kadiaks, mebbe,” 
added Long. 

“ Kill the king! What for! ” inquired Archie 
wonderingly. 

Oh, we won’t commit murder,” replied Long. 

The King of the Kadiaks is a bear — the big- 
gest that ever lived — bigger ’n a cow.” 

Did you ever see him? ” asked Ralph. 

No, I never did. But I’ve heard so much 
about him I’m purty sure he ain’t no fairy 
tale. An’ they do tell some funny stories about 
that bear.” 

What are they? ” inquired Archie eagerly. 

Well there’s one story you may not want to 
believe, but all the natives up there believe it. 
They say the King o’ the Kadiaks lives with a 
man.” 

‘ ‘ A man ! ’ ’ exclaimed Ralph and Archie in 
chorus. 

Yes, a man. An’ what’s more, the natives say 
he’s got the bear bewitched.” 

How’d he do that? ” asked Archie. 


28 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


Nobody knows. They say the man an’ the 
bear live in a cave together. The bear’s a fierce 
beast, an’ that makes the story all the funnier.” 

‘‘ Don’t you think it’s a myth! ” inquired Mr. 
Nelson. 

‘‘ No, I don’t. There’s too many people seen 
the bear an’ the man too. The cave’s way up in 
the side of a mountain an’ hard to get at. Some- 
times hunters go to the foot o’ the mountain an’ 
wait for days for Ole Midwit — that’s the name 
the natives give to the bear. Some of ’em say 
they’ve seen him. One hunter from Boston tol’ 
me he saw Ole Long Hair, the man ’at lives with 
the bear. Several men have tried to climb up to 
the cave an’ some of ’em never come back, they 
say. What happened to ’em nobody knows, but 
the natives say Ole Midwit eat ’em up and Ole 
Long Hair made a fire with their bones to keep 
warm.” 

‘‘ Oh, dad, let’s go and hunt Midwit and Old 
Long Hair,” begged Ealph. ‘‘ That’d just be 
great fun.” 

‘‘It’s bed time for you boys now,” replied Mr. 
Nelson smiling. “ You go to your room and Mr. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 29 

Long and I will talk the matter over. I’ll tell you 
in the morning what we decide to do.” 

The boys said good night and were soon in bed, 
but not sleeping. The subject on their minds 
drove sleep away for more than an hour, and when 
at last they did drift off into slumber it was only 
to dream of bows and arrows and ships and the 
sea and icebergs and bears. And in the midst of 
this shifting scene Ealph saw the form of a gaunt 
skin-clad man, with long white hair falling down 
over his shoulders, standing high up on a moun- 
tain ledge while a great bear came up and rubbed 
against him like an affectionate dog. 


CHAPTER III 


OFF FOB KADIAK 

Hooray, Archie, we’re going.” 

Going? Going where? ” 

Oh, you sleepy head, can’t you remember 
overnight? Here I’ve been up for an hour and 
talking it over with pa. And you’ve been sleeping 
away as if you didn’t care what came next. Get 
up, snoozy.” 

Ralph seized a pillow and threw it at his cousin, 
who warded it off with his arm. The latter proved 
himself a very live boy now, for he leaped out of 
bed and was soon putting on his clothes and ask- 
ing questions in rapid succession. 

When are we going? Where? To Kadiak? 
Is Mr. Long going too? Are we going to shoot 
bears? ” 

Yes and we’re going to hunt for Old Midwit. 
We’ll stay up there all summer.” 

^ ‘ And fish and camp out and — ’ ’ 

“ TJhuh. And use only bows and arrows. Mr. 
Long said he’d make real archers out of us.” 

30 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 31 

'‘Hurrah for him — and Uncle Will! We’ll 
have a bully time I ’ ’ 

Archie was so excited that in his haste he 
dressed very slowly. He started to draw his 
shoes onto his bare feet and put his shirt on over 
his suspenders. 

Although Mr. Nelson was wealthy, his tastes 
were not extravagant. His home was a picture 
of modesty and richness inside and out. The 
house was a large brick building with vines run- 
ning over the walls and surrounded by lawns and 
flower beds and gracefully curved walks. Ealph’s 
and Archie’s room was on the second floor, the 
windows overlooking a row of shade trees along 
the automobile drive. In this room were decora- 
tive features distinctly different from those of any 
other part of the house. 

The walls were literally covered with pictures 
of athletes and baseball teams and football 
elevens. On the south wall wa^ the head and 
antlers of a great wapiti, or American Elk, that 
Ealph had shot in Montana a little more than a 
year before. On the floor was the head and skin 
of a medium-sized black bear that Archie had shot 
about the same time. 


32 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


We’ll have to leave these things behind,” said 
Ealph as he picked up his favorite longbow that 
stood in a corner of the room.” 

“ Why? ” asked Archie as he gave a too vigor- 
ous pull on a shoestring and broke it. “ There, 
that’s always the way when you’re in a hurry. 
Got another shoestring, Ralph? ” 

No, you’ll have to tie that one together anil 
use it until you can buy some more. ’ ’ 

Why’ve we got to leave our bows behind? ” 
asked Archie. Are we going to use just 
rifles? ” 

‘‘ No, we’re going to use short bows made of 
whalebone. Mr. Long says the natives use ’em in 
Kadiak.” 

And I s’pose we’re to learn to split a shaft 
like Mr. Long did. ’ ’ 

“ I hope so. Pa says he’s goin’ to turn us over 
to him to make real archers out of us.” 

Isn’t Uncle Will going along? ” 

Yes, but Mr. Long’s to have charge of us all 
— pa too.” 

How soon we goin’ to start? ” 

^ ‘ As soon as we can get ready. A week or two 
maybe. ’ ’ 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 33 

The boys went down to breakfast, and during 
the meal the whole subject of the conversation 
was Mr. Long, Kadiak bears, half-breeds, bows 
and arrows. Midwit and Old Long Hair. 

You needn^t bring any bear meat back for 
me to cook,’^ said Ralph’s sister Aleta, who was 
studying household arts at school. 

‘‘We’ll bring you a bear skin for a rug,” vol- 
unteered Ralph confidently. 

“ Maybe she’d rather have a seal skin for a 
coat,” suggested Mrs. Nelson. 

“ That’s just what we’ll do,” said Archie. 

“ What would she want with a sealskin coat in 
this climate? ” asked Ralph incredulously. 

“ Oh, it gets cold enough here sometimes to 
wear a fur coat,” said Aleta. “ Anyway, I don’t 
stay in San Francisco all the time.” 

“ You’re more likely to get some otter skins 
than seal skins where we’re going,” said Mr. 
Nelson. “ The native hunters kill more sea otter 
than seals. The pelts are often six feet long and 
three feet wide after they’re stretched.” 

“ That wouldn’t be enough for a coat,” said 
Aleta. 

“ Wouldn’t it? I’m not a ladies’ tailor and 


34 The Boys* Big Game Series 

don’t know about such things. Would two skins 
be enough! ” 

‘‘Yes, more than enough. Three ’d make a coat 
for mother and one for me. I wouldn’t have 
mine made till I’m bigger.” 

“ Then we’ll get three,” promised Archie. 
“ How much is a sea otter’s skin worth. Uncle 
Will! ” 

‘ ‘ The natives get two hundred dollars or more 
for them,” replied Mr. Long. “ Of course, the 
merchants and tailors would have to add a good 
deal more for their profit and raise it to five hun- 
dred dollars.” 

The day was Sunday. After breakfast the boys 
went to their room to prepare for Sunday school. 
Their conversation, however, was hardly in keep- 
ing with the occasion. Instead of talking about 
their lesson, they discussed the slaying of wild 
beasts. As they were about to leave the room, 
Archie snatched a bicycle cap from the wapiti 
horns and put it on his head. 

“ What you goin’ to do! Wear that lid to Sun- 
day school? ” asked Ealph with a laugh. 

“ I thought I was goin’ after a Kadiak bear,” 
replied Archie with a foolish smile. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 35 

In the afternoon they went to the hotel where 
Jim Long was stopping, and spent several hours 
with that interesting fellow. They listened to 
stories about Alaska and Kadiak Island until they 
could almost picture in their minds the whole of 
that big territory of mountains and glaciers, de- 
lightful short summers, long cold winters, 
funny inhabitants with funny ways, and 
all kinds of game. 

' “ How long does it take to get up to Kadiak? ” 

was one of the questions Ralph asked. 

About ten or twelve days from Seattle,’’ re- 
plied Long. ‘‘We’re plannin’ to get started so’s 
to reach Kadiak by the middle of April. That’s 
about the best time. If we go too late the bear 
pelts are not worth so much. The hair fades, gets 
thin and short, an’ the hide is thick an’ heavy.” 

Of course Ralph and Archie were attending 
school and arrangements had to be made whereby 
they could feel assured that they would not fall 
behind in their classes while away. It was 
planned to return by the time school opened in 
September. They spoke to their principal about 
the matter and he assured them that, as the trip 
would prove highly educational, he would see to it 


36 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


that they received credits on their experience and 
be required to make up only the most essential 
part of the work they must lose. After all, they 
would lose less than three months at school. 

Preparations for the trip were made rapidly 
and by March 25 they were ready to leave for 
Seattle. Aleta, inspired by the promise of the 
otter skins, assisted so generously that the boys 
united in calling her a trump and said they wished 
they could take her along. 

‘‘ You bring me back some seal or otter skins 
and I’ll be well repaid,” she replied, as they were 
about to leave for the trains. 

‘‘We’ll bring them, dead sure,” promised 
Archie. 

“ Yes, they’ll be dead — sure,” said Ealph with 
a comical look. 

“I’ll bet you anything that Archie gets the 
skins while you spend your time joking,” said 
Aleta severely, addressing her brother. 

“Is ’pose he will. He likes you. ’ ’ 

“ Of course I do,” declared Archie. “ Why 
shouldn’t I? She’s the finest girl in California. 
I suppose you don’t like your sister.” 

“ Don’t I though! ” replied Ealph and he sud- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 37 


denly put his arms around the rosy-cheeked girl 
and kissed her. 

There, what do you say to that,’’ he asked. 

‘‘ I think it’s my turn now,” said Archie. And 
the blushing girl was kissed again. 

‘ ‘ If you boys are going to be so good to me as 
all that, I’m going to the depot with you,” said 
Aleta. 

And she put on her hat and coat and got into 
the automobile beside Archie. The boys turned 
and waved good-bye to Ealph’s mother, and this 
was the last they saw of home for five months. 

Mr. Nelson had already purchased tickets and 
the baggage was checked, so that all they had to 
do when they reached the depot was to wait for 
the train. Several friends of the boys were there 
to see them off ” and wish them good luck. 

Jim Long, more comfortable in a coarse outing 
suit and rough rider hat, also was waiting for 
the arrival of his hunting companions. 

The Great Northern mountain train would 
start in a few minutes. There was a hurried suc- 
cession of good-byes, Aleta was kissed again, and 
the four Alaskan hunters boarded their Pullman. 
Ealph and Archie hastened to the rear end of the 


38 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


observation car and waved to the sister and 
cousin and their friends until a bend in the track 
shut them from view. 


CHAPTER rV 


THE MAN WITH THE GLASS EYE 

Seattle, a beautiful city of a hundred thousand 
inhabitants, is situated on Puget Sound. Three 
lakes and a river, several parks and the grounds 
of the state university and Fort Lawton render 
it a place worthy of attention on the part of the 
traveler. 

Ralph and Archie had never been in this im- 
portant Pacific port before, and naturally were 
much interested on their first visit. They had lit- 
tle to do other than see the sights while Mr. Nel- 
son and Jim Long prepared for the voyage up 
the Alaskan coast and the summer ^s sojourn in 
the northern region. 

These preparations were necessarily exten- 
sive. Provisions in the most condensed and pre- 
served form were put into waterproof canvas 
bags and sent aboard the vessel on which they 
were to sail. Among the articles of clothing pur- 
chased were woolen Mackinaw coats and pants, 
the latter of an olive drab color, Canadian 
39 


40 The^Boys^ Big Game Series 

mucklucks ’’ or heavy rubber-soled shoes, heavy 
German socks worn outside the trouser legs 
to the knee; Rodel caps, pulling down over the 
head to the neck and having a slit and visor for 
the eyes ; army-officer shirts ; underclothing, light 
stockings and mittens. Another and all-import- 
ant article that Jim Long was particularly care- 
ful to provide was a medicine kit,' containing 
quinine, bandages, compressed cotton, boracic 
acid, carbolic acid and other life preserving 
agencies of the sort. 

On April first they set sail on a steam whaling 
schooner, which was the best passage they could 
get at this season. It was too early for the 
stream of tourists that pour into Alaska every 
summer, and most of the passengers were miners 
bound for the gold region. They were not as 
light-hearted and romantic a set of fellows as 
Ralph and Archie would have expected to see. 
The faces of some of them were drawn and their 
backs were bent, indicating that they had seen 
severe exposure and carried heavy loads long 
distances. Not one of them had an elastic step or 
a light cheery smile. 

But they were not bad fellows, after all. Ralph 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 41 

and Archie made the acquaintance of several and 
found them very interesting. Although they 
were not gay of manner, they were not unhappy, 
but seemed to be fairly well contented with their 
lot. 

The whaling schooner ‘‘ Dolphin ” on which 
they had taken passage, was a steel-bodied affair 
about two hundred and eighty feet long. She 
was provided with four harpoon guns in the fore- 
castle, which were among the first objects aboard 
that Ealph and Archie investigated. She 
was loaded with freight for various Alaskan 
ports and carried a crew of thirty-six men. It is 
the custom of such vessels to carry freight and 
passengers on the outward trip and to hunt for 
whales on the return. Naturally, they have an 
offensive smell during the blubber-rendering 
period, but they are put through a disinfecting 
process after the cargo of sperm oil has been un- 
loaded, that makes them endurable. 

The route taken by the steamer was along what 
is known as the Inside Passage ’’ between the 
islands and the mainland from Puget Sound, be- 
yond Sitka. In the course of this passage the 
boys saw a fight between two whales. The great 


42 The Boys* Big Game Series 

leviathans were about a quarter of a mile from 
the vessel and they lashed the water like a huge 
churn in their struggles. At last one of them 
seemed to he getting the worst of it and dived 
beneath the surface, the other after him. 

The boys saw a good many whales on the way 
and learned much about their habits and pecu- 
liarities. Mr. Nelson proved to be well informed 
on the subject and some of the things he related 
surprised them greatly. About an hour after the 
two fighting whales had disappeared, Ealph 
sighted a monster spouting half a mile off to the 
southwest. He and his father and Archie were 
standing at the port gunwale near the cabin. 

‘‘ See what a column of water that fellow 
blows,’’ said Ealph. 

“ That isn’t water,” replied Mr. Nelson. 

‘‘Not water! ” exclaimed Ealph. “ What is 
it then? Smoke? ” 

“ It looks more like a puff of smoke than 
water, but in reality it’s a sort of spray or con- 
densed breath.” 

The whale “ blew ” nine times before disap- 
pearing. Mr. Nelson explained that the animal 
was able to remain under water half an hour at a 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 43 

time, although it usually would come to the sur- 
face every ten minutes to breathe, remaining on 
top about two minutes and spouting eight or 
more times. 

Mr. Nelson left the boys standing at the gun- 
wale and gazing over the water. Land appeared 
here and there in the distance, but they were so 
far from shore that they could not get a good 
view of it. Ealph had, hung over his shoulder, a 
pair of strong field glasses, with which he occa- 
sionally brought to plainer view far-away objects 
of interest. 

After a while they caught sight of several 
whales about two miles away, sporting about 
with great energy. Their attention was attracted 
to the scene by a heavy spanking noise, and they 
saw one monster with head straight down in the 
water and tail thrashing the surface with re- 
sounding blows. 

Ralph put the glasses to his eyes and watched 
the performance for several moments; then he 
gave them to Archie, saying: 

“ That’s some sight. Arch. Take a look.” 

Archie took the glasses and put them to his 
eyes, gazing at the scene a minute or more. As 


44 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


he was thus engaged, a man whom they had ob- 
served standing near the gunwale a few yards 
away, approached and said: 

‘‘ Will you please let me look through your 
glasses? 

Certainly,’^ replied Archie as he handed over 
the binoculars. 

The man was fairly well-dressed, of medium 
height and proportions. His most striking fea- 
ture perhaps was a false one — a glass eye. And 
this was the more striking because of the glitter- 
ing keenness of the other, set in an expressionless 
face. 

And yet, the man was attempting to be pleas- 
ant. He was trying his best to smile but the ef- 
fort was apparent. Naturally the boys were not 
well impressed with him. 

That old fellow surely can spank the water, 
can’t he? ” said the man as he returned the 
glasses. Is this your first trip on the ocean? ” 

Oh, no,” replied Archie. ‘‘We live in San 
Francisco, but we’ve never been so far north 
before.” 

“ Where are you goin’? ” 

“ To Kadiak Island.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 45 

Is that so? I^m goin^ there too. Are you 
goin’ to hunt bears? 

Yes,’’ said Archie. We’re after the King 
of the Kadiaks.” 

And Old Long Hair,” added Ealph with a 
smile. He had not taken Jim Long’s story of the 
giant bear and the mysterious old man as 
seriously as had Archie. 

There was no attempted smile on the stranger’s 
face now. His eye merely looked at them with its 
usual burning gaze. His features were immobile, 
‘‘ Who are Old Long Hair and the King o’ the 
Kadiaks? ” he asked. 

The King of the Kadiaks is a great bear, 
supposed to be the biggest on earth,” replied 
Archie. He lives in a cave in a mountain on 
Kadiak Island and Old Long Hair — he’s a man 
— lives with him. That’s what they say, any- 
way. ’ ’ 

Very interesting, very interesting,” com- 
mented the man with the glass eye. ‘ ‘ Where did 
you hear that story? ” 

Jim Long told it to us.” 

Ealph thought he detected a strained un- 
naturalness in the man’s voice at the utterance of 


46 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


this name. But if it was familiar to him he at- 
tempted to conceal the fact by inquiring: 

Who’s Jim Long? ” 

He’s a man who’s been up in Kadiak before 
and hunted bears,” replied Archie. ‘‘ He’s with 
us on this boat.” 

‘‘ Have you ever been up there before? ” in- 
quired Ralph. 

No, this is my first trip. I suppose we’ll see 
more or less of each other, so I’ll introduce my- 
self. My name is Luke Chapman an’ I’m from 
Cheyenne.” 

‘‘I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Chapman,” said 
Ralph. “ My name is Ralph Nelson an’ this is 
my cousin, Archie Ellis.” 

“ How many in your party? ” asked Chapman. 

“ My father and Jim Long besides ourselves.” 

“ I hope we will see a good deal of each other,” 
said Chapman. “I’m a steerage passenger. 
You’re welcome in the forecastle cabin any time.” 

“ I wonder if he’s alone,” said Ralph, as the 
man moved away. 

“ I suppose he is,” replied Archie. “ That’s 
probably the reason he wanted to get acquainted 
— lonesome.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 47 

‘‘ He^s a funny looking fellow, isn^t he? 

Yes. It’s his glass eye makes him look so 
funny, I guess.” 

In spite of his invitation to the boys to make 
themselves at home in the forward cabin, Luke 
Chapman seemed to avoid them thereafter. If 
they chanced to approach a part of the deck 
where he was idling, he seemed suddenly to find 
some reason for hastening to another part of the 
ship. On observing him do this several times, ap- 
parently without noticing them, Ralph and Archie 
decided to give the matter a thorough test. They 
approached him three or four times in succession 
in a seemingly casual way, and each time he 
moved off in an absent-minded manner, appar- 
ently taking no notice of his surroundings. 

After this test the boys set Luke Chapman 
down for a mysterious fellow, and made no fur- 
ther attempts to be in his company. They spoke 
of him once or twice in the presence of Mr. Nel- 
son and Jim Long, fiiit those two men manifested 
no interest in the subject. 

Hunter’s Bay, at Prince of Wales Island, was 
the first Alaskan port at which the schooner 
stopped. Here is located Clincon, an old settle- 


48 


The Boys’ Big Game Series 


ment of the Haidah Indians. As the vessel neared 
the place, the remarkable totem poles of those 
Indians were the principal topic of conversation. 
Ealph, Archie, Mr. Nelson and Jim Long were on 
deck forward while the ship drove up the bay, and 
as they neared the landing they hastened aft to 
prepare to go ashore. It had been announced 
that the steamer would remain a few hours at the 
place. 

As they came around the steerage cabin a re- 
markable scene took place. Luke Chapman was 
hurrying toward the forecastle, and as he passed 
the bear hunting party he looked directly at them. 
His good eye met the gaze of Jim Long, and the 
latter stopped short with a gasp. 

Chapman did not stop. He hurried on, appar- 
ently not noticing or not understanding the sur- 
prise of the tall passenger. If he recognized the 
latter his composure was cleverly assumed. 

What’s the matter. Long? ” asked Mr. Nel- 
son. Do you know that man? You act as if 
he’s a long-lost brother or a rival that cut you out 
of a sweetheart.” 

‘‘ Do I know him? ” replied Jim. Well I 



As they came around the steerage cabin Luke Chapman was 
hurrying by. As he passed, his good eye met the gaze of Jim 
Long, and the latter stopped short with a gasp. 





The King Bear of Kadiak Island 49 

should say I do. An^ I’d just like to know what 
he’s goin’ up here again for.” 

Again! Ealph and Archie were perhaps as 
much astonished as Long. Luke Chapman had 
told them that this was his first trip north! 


CHAPTER V 


BEAK STORIES 

‘ ‘ Mr. Chapman has never been to Kadiak. ’ ’ 
This was Archie’s reply to Jim Long’s surpris- 
ing statement concerning the steerage passenger. 
Jim regarded the boy with a puzzled look. 

Who in blazes is Mr. Chapman? ” he asked. 

That man we just saw.” 

‘‘ Chapman your gran ’mother! That feller’s 
Scott Keeler, as good-for-nothin’ a rascal as ever 
lived. I went huntin’ with him on Kadiak, an’ I 
ought to know. ’ ’ 

That’s the glass-eyed man Archie and I were 
talkin’ about at the dinner table yesterday,” said 
Ralph. 

Glass-eyed! That feller ain’t got no glass 
eye. ’ ’ 

Oh, yes he has, Mr. Long. Archie and I 
talked with him. His right eye is glass all right 
enough. Ain’t it, Archie? ” 

“ Sure it is. You’re mistaken, Mr. Long.” 

50 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 51 

Come said Mr. Nelson. They’re going 
ashore. We’ll settle that question later.” 

The visit to the Haidah Indian settlement drove 
from their minds all thoughts of the passenger 
with the glass eye. Both Mr. Nelson and Jim 
Long were well informed on the subject of totems. 
The former had read up on various topics of in- 
terest they would meet with in the course of their 
journey, and this was an occasion when his store 
of knowledge was a source of profit to all. He 
told his companions that the Haidah Indians were 
formerly a very savage and powerful tribe, and 
called their attention to the delicate and clever 
character of their carvings. ^ 

From Hunter’s Bay, the steamer continued 
along the Inland Passage to Fort Wrangell, which 
is nearly 700 miles from Seattle. The weather was 
cold and rainy much of the time, and icebergs be- 
came more and more numerous as they advanced 
toward the region of glaciers and Glacier Bay. 

On the morning after the visit at the old Indian 
settlement, the subject of the man with the glass 
eye was brought up again at breakfast. Archie 
introduced it by saying : 

Ealph, what do you say? Let’s find Mr. 


52 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

Chapman, and fix np a meeting between him and 
Mr. Long.’’ 

‘‘ What for? ” asked Ealph. 

Oh, just so Mr. Long can see Chapman’s glass 
eye.” 

Of course, if he’s got a glass eye, I must ’a’ 
been mistaken,” said Jim. “ But, sure as shoot- 
in’, I never saw two fellers look so much alike.” 

What did he do when you was hunting with 
him? ” inquired Archie. 

‘ ‘ Do ? What didn ’t he do ? He bribed the na- 
tives we had hired, an’ they all run away with our 
baidarkas an’ everything. I was left alone, far 
away from any human bein’. I might ’a’ starved 
and froze to death if I hadn’t stumbled onto 
another huntin’ party.” 

‘‘ Didn’t you see him again? ” asked Ralph. 

Nary a sign o’ him. I stuck on the island for 
two months more, but couldn’t find him. I’d sure 
like to run into that scoundrel again.” 

We’ll make a try, and see if this isn’t the fel- 
low. Maybe he’s lost his eye since you saw him 
last.” 

Of course that could be, but it ain’t likely.” 

What is a baidarka? ” asked Ealph. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 53 

‘‘ A canoe. It^s made of light wood framework 
an’ covered with the skins of hair seal. Even the 
top is covered with skins, except the hatches, 
which are holes to kneel in an’ paddle. The na- 
tives have got a funny way o’ paddlin’. They 
all paddle on one side at once sev’ral times, an’ 
then all swing over to the other side for sev’ral 
more strokes. This makes the baidarka wiggle 
along like a snake.” 

Do they ever make long trips in the 
baidarkas? ” asked Ralph. 

Sure. A trip’s been made from Kadiak to 
Seattle in one.” 

In a canoe! ” exclaimed Archie. 

‘ ‘ Yep — in a canoe. Purty big canoe, though. ’ ’ 

During the rxm from Hunter’s bay to Fort 
Wrangell, the hunting party saw nothing of the 
man with the glass eye. Doubtless he remained 
in the steerage cabin most of the time, and he was 
not to be blamed for this, because the weather 
waa very bad. * 

At Fort Wrangell they saw more totem poles. 
These had been carved and erected by the Thlin- 
kit Indians, who differed from the Haidah Indians 
in various respects. The latter sometimes buried 


54 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


their dead at the base of totem poles, while in 
the backs of the poles of Thlinkit Indians were 
found cavities for receiving the ashes of the cre- 
mated dead. Usually, the body of a Haidah was 
buried in the butt of a large cedar. 

Fort Wrangell, the boys learned, was located in 
one of the big game regions of Alaska. At this 
point, the Sitkine Eiver flows into the sea, and by 
going upstream only a few miles, one gets into 
British Columbia. 

While the steamer was tied up at the wharf, t^o 
men came aboard and took cabin passage. They 
were English hunters, liberally outfitted with big- 
game guns. The contrast between their outfit and 
that of the San Francisco party was noticeable, 
for the latter had brought along no firearms ex- 
cept a heavy Colt’s revolver each for emergency 
use. These weapons, at close range, would bore 
as deep a hole as a rifle, although of course they 
would not carry so far. Otherwise Mr. Nelson 
and his companions had with them as weapons 
only a few bows and arrows from Jim’s collec- 
tion. 

The addition of the Englishmen to the boat’s 
passenger list was the occasion of a revival of the 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 55 

subject of bear hunting. Mr. Nelson soon made 
their acquaintance. As they were not expecting 
to return by this route, they had brought their 
Alaskan trophies aboard, and an excellent assort- 
ment it was. Two large bear skins and a fine 
moose head were among the most important of the 
collection. 

But as everybody was looking ahead for bigger 
game still, the discussions did not rest long on the 
recent experiences of the Englishmen. As soon as 
the latter, who had never visited Kadiak, learned 
that Jim Long had spent several months there 
hunting the ‘‘ biggest bears in the world,’’ that 
skilled guide and hunter became the object of their 
greatest interest. He told of his experiences in 
killing two Kadiaks, one a seven hundred and 
ninety pounder, four feet and two inches high and 
seven feet long, and the other six feet and nine 
inches long, slightly under four feet high, and 
weighing six hundred and ten pounds. 

“ I killed ’em both with my ‘ Kadiak,’ ” said 
Long. “ Bow’s much better ’n guns to hunt bear 
with. Gun scares ’em away an’ makes ’em hard 
to find. Most o’ the natives use bows.” 

‘Ms that what you’re goin’ to hunt with this 


56 The Boys* Big Game Series 

time? ” asked one of tke Englishmen, whose name 
was Eobinson. The other was a Mr. Burns. 

Sure,’’ replied Long. We didnT bring no 
guns with us. ’ ’ 

The Englishmen were much astonished at this 
information. When they learned from Ealph and 
Archie the wonderful skill Long had exhibited at 
the archery meet in San Francisco, they expressed 
a wish to see him shoot on the first opportunity. 

“ What’s this story about the great king bear 
of Kadiak Island and a wild man supposed to live 
with him? ” asked Eobinson. You can’t go any- 
where in Alaska, it seems, without hearing some- 
thing about ’em. ’ ’ 

They were all in the cabin on the night after the 
schooner left Fort Wrangell. Only the two 
Englishmen and the San Francisco party were 
present, the other cabin passengers, who were 
miners, having sought their friends in the fore- 
castle. Jim Long was half reclining on a bunk a 
few feet from the reading table. Mr. Nelson and 
the two Englishmen, the latter two smoking pipes, 
were seated at the table. Ealph and Archie occu- 
pied chairs near the sofa. Outside, affairs were 
not so pleasant. Eain was coming down in wind- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 57 

torn sheets and the vessel was rocking consider- 
ably. 

At the inquiry from Eobinson, Long arose to a 
sitting position. The subject had a peculiar inter- 
est for him, although he always confessed that his 
opinion regarding it was more or less hazy. 

‘‘ The story’s there all right enough,” he said. 

But I never saw neither of ’em an’ I wouldn’t 
swear the story’s true.” 

You’ve heard people say they’ve seen them 
though,” reminded Archie. 

Yes, a good many. By the way, I didn’t tell 
you I was huntin’ for the King o’ the Kadiaks 
when that sneak of a Keeler bribed our Aleuts an’ 
ran away with our canoes an’ all our outfit.” 

Tell us about it,” requested Ealph. 

I always had a suspicion that I come mighty 
close to seein’ Ole Midwit on that trip,” said Jim, 
sinking back in a reclining position and gazing up 
at the dingy lantern hanging from a deck beam. 
“ Me an’ Keeler hired two baidarkas — or rather 
I hired ’em, for he didn’t have no money. But I 
took a kind o ’ fancy to him. He was the only white 
man I could find to ’sociate with. He tole me he ’d 
been on the island a month an’ had plenty o’ 


58 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


money at first, but in a figbt with a bear bad just 
escaped with his life, leavin’ his coat an’ his money 
in the bear’s jaws. The story sounded kind o’ 
fishy to me at first, but I believed it, ’cause a half- 
breed friend o’ his said he was with Keeler on the 
hunt an’ saw the whole thing happen.” 

<< Why didn’t you ask the half-breed why he 
didn’t shoot the bear? ” inquired Eobinson. 

’Cause I wasn’t s ’pectin’ anything crooked,” 
replied Long. “ But I guess they was workin’ 
me, both of ’em, an’ I bit as easy as pie.” 

Well, I hired the canoes an’ we started out. 
It was early spring. We was after the King o’ 
the Kadiaks, Ole Midwit, as they called ’im. 

‘ ‘ Keeler got me interested in that bear ; that ’s 
why I fell for his game. He brung the half -breed 
to me, an’ that feller tole me about seein’ Ole 
Midwit with Ole Long Hair standin’ beside him 
high up on a mountain, an’ lool^in’ down over a 
deep valley. 

‘‘We got about thirty miles from Karluk 
round ’mong those deep bays on the north side o ’ . 
Kadiak, an’ put up for the night in a deserted 
barabara. ’ ’ 

“ What’s a barabara? ” asked Archie. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 59 

That’s a kind o’ hut. You’ll find lots of ’em 
in Alaska. They’re built of driftwood an’ sod 
an’ grass an’ anything you can pick up. They 
don’t have no windows, only a big hole in the roof 
for the light to come in an’ the smoke to get out. 

“ Next morning I found myself alone. Every- 
body was gone, but they’d been good enough to 
forget my bow an’ arrows in their hurry.” 

How did Keeler bribe the natives if he didn’t 
have any money? ” asked Ralph. 

“ That’s, where the boot rubs. He stole $200 
out o’ my coat.” 

Didn’t you wear a money belt in a country 
like that, and on such an occasion? ” inquired Mr. 
Nelson. 

‘‘ I didn’t then, but I always do now. I learnt 
my lesson, an’ won’t forget it.” 

How about the big bear you almost saw? ” 
inquired Archie. 

I was jus’ cornin’ to that. I stayed at the 
barabara all day after Keeler run away with the 
baidarkas. A cold spell come on all of a sudden, 
an’ snow fell two feet deep. The barabara was 
near a river a mile up from the coast, an’ between 
two hills. The snow stopped a-f ailin’ before 


60 The Boys* Big Game Series 

night, an’ I went out to find some game for sup- 
per. I hadn’t had nothin’ to eat all day an’ was 
purty hungry. I tramped around for a mile or 
more, but couldn’t find nothin’. At last, I got 
back near the river, an’ was cornin’ up near a 
bunch o’ cottonwoods when I heard a noise ’at 
tole me some kind o’ animal was near. I s’pected 
it was a bear, an’ went kind o’ careful. But I was 
so hungry I was goin’ to tackle ’im alone. 

I guess he must ’a’ smelt me, for when I got 
to the other edge o ’ the cottonwoods he was gone. 
It was too dark to see far ahead, an’ by that time 
I was gettin’ a little sense in me, an’ decided to go 
back. Next mornin’ I went out, an’ examined the 
tracks an’ they wuz the biggest I ever saw. I’d 
killed a good many bear, but none of ’em could 
make a track like that fellow. They was good an’ 
plain in spots where the snow was Mowed ’most 
clean from the ground. 

The snow was too deep to make fast headway, 
but I couldn’t see any chance o’ gettin’ anything 
for my stomach in that neighborhood, so I started 
out to hoof it back. I was afraid o’ starvin’ to 
death if I stayed there. I made straight for the 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 61 

seashore, an’ near the mouth o’ the river found 
a huntin’ party on their way to Karluk.” 

^ ‘ Are you still sure that man with the glass eye 
is Keeler? ” asked Ealph. 

‘‘I’d swear to it if it wasn’t for the glass eye,” 
replied Long. 

“ Then I’m going to find out. I’m going to the 
forecastle, and ask him to come here and join us.” 
“ I’ll go with you,” volunteered Archie. 

With these words, they left the cabin and ran 
up the companionway to the deck. 


CHAPTEE VI 


CHAPMAN OK KEELER 

Mr. Nelson called for the boys to come back, as 
he did not like the idea of their going out on the 
deck on a stormy night. But he did not call as 
loudly as he intended to, and the cabin door was 
closed just as he spoke. When the boys reached 
the deck, they were pleased to find that the rain 
had almost ceased and that the ship was not roll- 
ing enough to make it difficult for them to keep 
their feet. 

It was pretty dark, and as they hastened for- 
ward, they found themselves stumbling against 
this object and that, Ealph falling headlong once 
over a coil of rope. They reached the forwai:d 
hatch and went below. In the steerage, they found 
smoke and men and cards, the games progress- 
ing with a sort of fierce silence, interrupted now 
and then with a grunt or an oath. 

Chapman was not playing. He was seated on a 
bunk, pulling on a straight briar pipe. As the 
boys entered, he looked at them, but the expres- 
62 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 63 

sion, or lack of expression, on his face did not 
change. He merely said, Hello, kids,’^ as they 
approached, and waited for them to announce 
their errand. 

<< We Ve come here to ask you to join us in the 
cabin, ^ ^ said Ealph. ‘ ‘ Father an ’ Mr. Long and a 
couple of Englishmen who came aboard are tell- 
ing stories and we thought maybe you could help 
us.” 

‘ ‘ Me help ! ’ ’ replied Chapman with a diffidence 
that had little in common with his personality. 

What could I do? ” 

‘ - You won^t have to do anything but listen if 
you don’t want to. We thought maybe you’d 
traveled and hunted a good deal, and could tell us 
something interesting. ’ ’ 

This is the first trip outside o’ the United 
States I ever took in my life.” 

‘‘ Well, we thought you might like to come in 
the cabin and visit. You’re the only man in the 
forecastle who is neither a sailor nor a miner. 
You ought to be traveling in the cabin.” 

Well, perhaps I ought,” said Chapman, 
whose good eye seemed to burn more fiercely than 
usual in the light of the smoky lantern. But the 


64 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


fact is I’m makin’ my money go as far as possible. 
I want to spend tbe summer in Kadiak, and didn ’t 
bring a fortune along.” ' 

Ralph was at the end of his string. He felt that 
he could offer no reason for urging further. As 
he and Archie turned to leave, Chapman said: 

‘‘ Sorry I can’t come to-night. I’ll come some 
other night. It’s gettin’ late now, you know — 
nearly nine o ’clock. My mother always taught me 
to go to bed at nine. Besides, it’s hard work for 
one eye to do service for two. Tell your friends 
my right eye is gettin’ sleepy. I’m very much 
obliged to you though. It ain’t often a common 
chap like me gets an invitation to leave the steer- 
age and hobnob in the cabin with the swells.” 

wonder if he was making fun of us,” said 
Archie, as the boys reached the deck again. 

I thought there was something funny in his 
voice, ’ ’ replied Ralph. ‘ ‘ I don ’t believe he meant 
all he said. ’ ’ 

“ Neither do I. I think he’s a fake. I bet he’s 
Keeler, after all.” 

We’ll see what Mr. Long says when we report 
to him, ’ ’ said Ralph. 

The boys were soon in the cabin again. As 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 65 

Archie closed the door behind them, Jim Long let 
forth a lusty laugh, and cried out ; 

‘ ' I knew it. I knew he wouldn ’t come. He told 
you to go %ng an’ mind your own business, 
didn’t he? ” 

Oh, no, he didn’t do that,” replied Ealph. 
^ ‘ He acted very innocent, or at least tried to. He 
told us to tell you his right eye was sleepy. ’ ’ 

Hid he tell you to tell me that? ” asked Long: 

No, he said to tell it to all of you.” 

^ ^ An ’ he refused to come ? ’ ’ 

Yes, I guess so. But he said he’d come some 
other time. ’ ’ 

Well, you can just bet he won’t come,” said 
Long. ^ ‘ He don ’t want to meet me. ’ ’ 

So you think he’s Keeler, do you? ” asked 
Archie. 

I’m so sure of it, I wouldn’t like to risk much 
against it. Wait till to-morrow an’ I’ll find out 
somethin’ about ’im.” 

Long was as good as his word. Next morning, 
he found the captain in his cabin playing solitaire 
and smoking a corncob pipe, and introduced his 
subject thus: 

Cap’n Phillips, I want to ask you some ques- 


66 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


tions about one o’ the steerage passengers. His 
name is Chapman.” 

What’s the matter with him? ” inquired the 
captain brusquely. ‘‘ Been playin’ pitch with him 
an’ got cleaned out? ” 

No, nothin’ o’ that kind. I just want to know 
somethin ’ about him. I was wonderin ’ why he was 
traveling steerage ’mong all those miners and 
sailors.” 

How’d you expect me to know? ” asked the 
other, taking a fierce pull at his pipe. 

I don’t know. I was just hopin’ you might 
know. ’ ’ 

Well, I do an’ I don’t. The fact is there’s 
somethin’ kind o’ funny about that feller. That’s 
what you’re thinkin’, ain’t it? ” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

I thought so. Well, mebbe I’ll make you think 
he’s funnier still. Do you know, he paid for a 
cabin bunk ? ’ ’ 

‘^No! Did he?” 

That’s what he did, an’ we’d no more’n got 
started when he come to me an ’ wanted to change 
to the forecastle.” 

“What for? ” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 67 

‘ ‘ Blamed if I know. He give me a reason, but 
I think it^s a lie. He said he^d found a friend 
among the miners, an’ wanted to be with him.” 

<< Why don’t you believe him? ” 

Well, I hain’t seen him with any friend an’ he 
ain’t the sort that makes friends, anyway.” 

No, he ain’t.” 

I told him he couldn’t have any o’ his money 
back — he’d have to stay booked fer the cabin.” 

Hid he kick? ” 

‘‘ A little at first, but I stuck, an’ he said he’d 
go to the forecastle anyway.” 

‘‘ Much obliged. Captain,” said Long, and he re- 
turned to the passenger cabin. 

What did you find out? ” asked Ralph as Jim 
reentered! 

All that’s necessary,” was the response. ‘‘ I 
know who he is.” 

‘‘ Who? ” 

Keeler.” 

How do you know? ” 

By the s’picious way he acts.” 

Long then followed with a statement of all the 
captain had told him. 


68 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


“ Keeler changed from the cabin to the fore- 
castle because he saw me here/’ he added. 

‘‘ Did you see him when he saw you? ” inquired 
Mr. Nelson. 

Not that I know of,” replied Jim. ‘‘ If I did, 
I didn’t recognize him.” 

The Englishmen were much interested in the 
affair, evincing a spirit of national generosity by 
comparing Long to Sherlock Holmes. 

This is a situation worthy of Conan Doyle,” 
said Eobinson. I’d like to follow it up and see 
the finish.” 

An’ you’re liable to see something nearer the 
finish before we reach Kadiak,” declared Jim with 
flashing eyes. 

^ ^ What are you going to do, sir ? ” 

It was Captain Phillips who, in peajacket and 
sou’wester, entered the cabin unobserved and in- 
terposed this question. He showed no disposition 
to favor cabin passengers before occupants of the 
steerage. Both had paid their passage and he 
possessed the unusual shipmaster virtue of being 
a democrat. Long faced about and replied : 

“I’m goin’ to settle with Scott Keeler, alias 
Luke Chapman,” he replied. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 69 

Not on this ship, my good fellow,’’ said the 
heavy-jawed captain positively. ‘‘ I don’t know 
anything about your trouble with him. You may 
be in the right, an’ him the biggest rascal on 
earth, hut the fellow who raises a row here has 
got to reckon with me. ’ ’ 

With this official dictum. Captain Phillips 
turned on his heel and left the cabin. 


CHAPTEE VII 


AT KADIAK 

‘‘ So, you see, youVe got to behave yourself, 
said Mr. Nelson, with a smile of amuse- 
ment, after the captain had departed. “ This 
good ship is a place of discipline. No rowdies 
allowed on board. If you start a racket, you’re 
likely to be tossed overboard as food for the 
fishes. ’ ’ 

Jim grinned. He saw the humor of the situa- 
tion. 

Guess you’re right,” he admitted, scratching 
his head and broadening his grin. “ Think I’ll 
behave myself till — ’ ’ 

‘‘ Till when? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

Till we git to Kadiak.” 

The best thing to do,” advised Ealph’s 
father; is to swear out a warrant for him as 
soon as we land. Violence never pays, Jim.” 

“ How could I prove anything? ” questioned 
the latter. Where’s my witnesses? Don’t 
even know where to find the half-breed, an’ he’d 
70 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 71 

lie worse ’n a runaway workin’ his passage. 
Nixie — there’s no law for this case. I’ve got to 
take it into my own hands. ’ ’ 

The discussion was dropped and the subject 
was given little attention thereafter before the 
arrival at Kadiak. 

On this day, the fifth from Seattle, the rain 
ceased, and although the mercury did not rise 
perceptibly, the sky became clear and it grew 
pleasant on deck. The schooner was still in the 
inland route,” which was followed until Icy 
Strait was reached, and through this an exit from 
Glacier Bay was effected. In this vicinity Ealph 
and Archie saw so many icebergs that they could 
almost imagine they were members of an explor- 
ing party seeking the north pole. 

After leaving Icy Strait, the schooner pursued 
a northwesterly course and next day they passed 
Mt. St. Elias, whose snowy peak in the distance 
seemed to touch the sky. This mountain, Mr. 
Nelson informed the boys, rises 18,000 feet above 
Malaspina Glacier. 

Before passing this place, however, the vessel 
stopped at Yukatat for an hour to unload some 
freight, and there the subject oi bear hunting 


72 The Boys* Big Game Series 

was discussed again. Mr. Nelson and the 
Englishmen were particularly interested in the 
blue bear that are seen occasionally in the neigh- 
borhood of Mt. St. Elias, and they were informed 
that a few of them were killed every year. As 
the steamer entered Cook Inlet, it was observed 
that the trees on the mainland were becoming 
fewer and fewer, and Mr. Nelson called attention 
to the fact that Afognak Island, near Kadiak, is 
a United States forest preserve. 

From Cook Inlet the schooner proceeded south- 
ward, past the Shelikoff Strait to Wood Island, 
which is less than two miles from Kadiak. It is 
covered with spruce and has about two hundred 
inhabitants, principally natives. 

As the vessel passed Shelikoff Strait, Jim Long 
proved to be a storehouse of information regard- 
ing the vicinity. He had absorbed numerous 
legends from the natives, and entertained his 
companions by relating some of them. 

‘‘ Do you know what the Aleuts an’ half-breeds 
think about that strip o’ water? ” he inquired of 
Ealph and Archie, as he pointed toward the 
strait. The three were on the forward deck, 
studying with much interest every detail of their 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 73 

approach to the famous bear-hunting ground. Of 
course, the boys did not know anything about the 
subject to which Long referred, and he con- 
tinued : 

They think a great big sea otter got stuck in 
between Kadiak an’ the mainland, when they 
were close together. The ole feller struggled so 
hard to get loose, they say, that he shoved Kadiak 
away out to where it is now. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Every race has its legends and its mythol- 
ogy,” observed Ealph. ‘‘ I suppose these people 
have their stories about great sea otters and 
monster bears just as the ancient Greeks and 
Eomans had their giant bulls and dragons.” 

Yes,” replied Long, pulling meditatively at 
his pipe. But the bear’s got to stand for most 
of the stories now. Not many sea otter about 
Kadiak any more. 

a They tell another story about a lost island. 
Sailors in these parts tell the story as much as 
the natives. It’s about an Aleut an’ his daughter. 
None o’ their friends would have anything to do 
with them because of something they’d done. So 
they paddled away in a baidarka one night an’ 
kept on for several days. At last they came to an 


74 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

island an’ lived there a year. Then they went 
back to Kadiak an’ tole stories about what a fine 
place they’d come from. An expedition was fitted 
out an’ they hunted an’ hunted an’ hunted, but 
couldn’t find no island. Now they tell stories 
about a ‘ lost island,’ an’ lots of fortune hunters 
have hunted for it, but couldn’t find it. They say 
there’s all kinds o’ gold in the rivers an’ copper 
in the mountains an’ ambergris on the water 
around it an’ thousands and thousands o’ sea ot- 
ters and seals.” 

Do you really believe there’s such an 
island? ” inquired Archie. 

I dunno,” replied Jim, as he knocked the 
ashes out of his pipe on the ship’s gunwale. 

Lots o’ folks believe it, an’ where there’s so 
much smoke, there ’s always some fire, you know. ’ ’ 

At Wood Island the travelers visited a Baptist 
orphanage, which is maintained for the benefit of 
parentless Aleutian children. These boys and 
girls were found studying farming and house- 
work. They showed remarkable aptitude, doing 
work which compared favorably with that done 
by pupils in the industrial schools of San 
Francisco. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 75 

How would you boys like to be farmers in 
Kadiak? asked Mr. Nelson, addressing Ralph 
and Archie, as they returned the curious gaze of 
several dark-skinned Aleutian children, who had 
stopped work in the schoolroom as the visitors 
entered. 

‘ ‘ Can they raise grain and vegetables away up 
here ? ’ ’ asked Ralph in surprise. 

I should say we can,’^ replied the minister 
who had charge of the orphanage. Potatoes 
and barley grow well here. We also raise cattle 
and chickens and Angora goats, with little diffi- 
culty. ’ ’ 

‘‘ I suppose it’s all right,” said Ralph half 
seriously; but I’d rather hunt Kadiak bear and 
go back home. If I was going to be a farmer, I’d 
rather run a California fruit farm.” 

From Wood Island they proceeded to the vil- 
lage of Kodiak, formerly St. Paul under Russian 
rule, where was the great ancient warehouse of 
an old Russian fur company. This village is by 
far the largest on Kadiak Island, whose total 
population is less than one thousand inhabitants. 
After securing modest quarters in the little frame 
hostelry of the place, they turned their attention 


76 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

at once to preparations for their hunting 
expedition. 

Meanwhile, the two Englishmen were also busy 
in like manner. They did not offer to join the 
Americans, and the latter did not offer to join 
them. All had been good friends on the boat, but 
as soon as a final landing had been effected, they 
became two distinct parties again. 

Luke Chapman, or Scott Keeler as Jim Long 
persisted in calling him, went ashore with the rest 
of the passengers at Kodiak. Jim by this time 
had become less severe in his attitude toward the 
man with the glass eye, but he did not ignore him 
entirely. He managed to keep himself informed 
as to the fellow ^s whereabouts and doings as long 
as he remained in the village. 

Had it not been for one act of the Englishmen 
that aroused considerable resentment in the 
American party, Jim would have warned Robin- 
son and Burns against Chapman. And it would 
have been well for the two Britishers if they had 
been in possession of Jim’s information. The af- 
fair happened thus : 

On the second day after their arrival at Kodiak, 
Long was out about the town using his modest 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 77 

knowledge of Aleutian and Eussian, together with 
the still more modest knowledge of English on the 
part of the natives. The ground was covered 
with a heavy layer of snow, but the weather was 
not severely cold, although cloudy. About noon 
he met Eobinson and Burns. They were coming 
out of a saloon, and Burns seemed a little the 
worse for what he had imbibed. 

‘ ‘ Here ’s the fellow can help us out of our diffi- 
culty,’’ said the latter, grasping Jim’s hand with 
an undue eagerness. 

Well, what can I do for you? ” asked Jim 
ingenuously. He was not by nature a suspicious 
fellow. 

‘‘You probably can’t do anything for us,” re- 
plied Eobinson, apparently a little embarrassed. 

“ Y-yes he can,” insisted Bums, laying a hand 
on the latter’s shoulder. “We c’n offer ’im 
more ’n he ’s gettin ’. Say, Long, how ’d you like to 
m-make a thousand? ” 

Jim had no objection to finding out what they 
wanted, so he replied: 

“ I’d be tickled to death.” 

“ I thought so. Well, we’re the fellows can put 


78 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


you in the way doin’ it. Have you got a con- 
tract with Nelson! ” 

‘‘ Contract! What for! ” 

W’y, for stickin’ to ’im.” 

“No, I hain’t signed no contract,” replied 
Long, who was beginning to understand what 
Burns was driving at. 

“ Are you satisfied with what they’re payin’ 
you! ” 

“ They ain’t payin’ me nothin’. I’m a gentle- 
man o’ leisure myself.” 

This was not exactly true. Mr. Nelson was 
paying all the expenses of the party, but Jim did 
not regard this exactly as compensation. 

“You don’t say so! ” exclaimed Eobinson in 
surprise. 

“ Oh, come away! ” said Burns, with a jerk of 
incredulity. “ Don’t try to put anything like that 
over on us.” 

“ Wliy! ” asked Long. “ Don’t you believe 
me! Do I look too much like a farmer! ” 

“ Not at all,” replied Eobinson. “ You look 
like a gentleman. But we thought you were the 
guide for your party.” 

“ So I am. But I’m takin’ a pleasure trip. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 79 

IVe been all over this island an’ agreed to come 
along an’ show the others about.” 

“I’m glad to hear that’s the situation,” said 
Eobinson, as if his sensitive conscience were no 
longer bothering him. You said you’d like to 
earn some money. Now, why not take our offer 
and make your trip one of profit as well as pleas- 
ure? ” 

“ What’s your offer? ” 

“ A thousand dollars,” replied Burns, who was 
always extravagant in his cups. “We’re gentle- 
men of money an’ blood — b’long to the nobility, 
see ? Only we ’ve got no titles ’cause we had older 
brothers. But our papas left us lots o’ dough. 
We don’t care a fig for titles when we’ve got the 
dough, do we, Chester? ” 

“ Keep still, Angus,” replied Eobinson. 
“You ought to know enough not to talk when 
you’re drunk.” 

“I’m not drunk, Chester. Don’t insult me. I 
could carry a barrel more. You know my capac- 
ity, Chester.” 

“ We’re getting off the subject,” said Eobin- 
son. We were talking about hiring Mr. Long 


80 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


to guide us on our hunt. You offered him a thou- 
sand dollars, you know. ^ ’ 

“To be sure I did, Chestie,^’ replied Bums. 
“ And I^d like to write him out a check right now, 
if he’ll agree.” 

Don’t do anything so rash, Angus,” advised 
Robinson. “ He’d be a fool if he didn’t run off 
with it. Any man that acts a fool with his money 
ought to be treated like a fool. You see,” he 
added suavely, “ we wouldn’t want to ask you to 
break a contract with Mr. Nelson, for we think 
very highly of him, but since you have no con- 
tract, why not come with us and accept our 
money? We won’t give you a thousand dollars; 
that would be foolish ; but we ’ll let you name your 
Own figure for two months’ service.” 

“I’m afraid you’re barkin’ up the wrong tree, 
my friends,” replied Long. “I’m not the kind o’ 
feller to go back on a promise. I’ve made a prom- 
ise to go on this hunt with my friends, an’ to them 
I’m goin’ to stick.” 

“ Sorry, awful sorry,” said Burns. “ I 
thought you had more of an idea for number one. 
But think it over and maybe you’ll change your 
mind. We’ll give you till to-morrow night to de- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 81 


cide. Come to my room any time I^m in — yon^re 
welcome. ’ ^ 

IVe decided already,’’ replied Jim. You 
don’t need to give me no time. Good-bye.” And 
he continued on his way toward the hotel. 

Arrived there, he found Mr. Nelson and the 
boys, to whom he told his story of the proposal of 
Robinson and Burns. Ralph and Archie were in- 
dignant, although they kept their feelings to 
themselves. Jim gave his account as a sort of 
joke, concluding thus : 

‘‘ I tole ’em I was a gentleman of leisure an’ 
you ought to seed ’em open their eyes. ’ ’ 

At this point, Jim glanced out of the window of 
Mr. Nelson’s room, and as he did so, he sprang 
to his feet with an exclamation of surprise. The 
other three occupants of the room followed his 
gaze. 

Up the walk, three men were approaching. 
They were Robinson, Bums and the man with the 
glass eye. The latter and Burns were arm in 
arm. 

Scott Keeler’s got ’em goin’! ” exclaimed 
Jim, striking his left palm with his right fist. 
‘‘ An’ he’ll get their money, see if he don’t.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


MOKE BEAR STOEIES 

Robinson and Burns were stopping at the hotel, 
but they and the members of the Frisco party 
saw little of each other. They met occasionally 
and passed the time of day, but that was about 
all. 

Mr. Nelson and the two boys had by this time 
almost forgotten the name of Chapman as as- 
sumed by the man with the glass eye. Long^s 
positive opinion on the subject had naturally 
caused them to think as he thought. And so when 
the four American bear hunters saw Jim^s enemy 
in company with the two Englishmen, they nat- 
urally thought of him as Keeler. In reply to 
Long^s last statement, Archie inquired: 

‘ ‘ How will he get their money ? ’ ’ 

‘‘ Howl ” repeated the hunter-guide. “ How 
d^ou think! Same way he got mine.^’ 

Do you suppose he’ll go with them on their 
hunt! ” asked Ralph. 

He will if he can. He’ll do anything for 
money. ’ ’ 


82 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 83 

On Kadiak Island money is a scarce article. It 
did not take the boys long to find out that busi- 
ness in the place is carried on almost entirely by 
barter. The common substitutes for legal tender 
are pelts, tusks, whalebone and the like. 

While Long was busy with arrangements for 
the bear hunt, Mr. Nelson, Ralph and Archie 
made short daily excursions over the near-by 
hills. This they did, not so much with the hope of 
bagging game as for the purpose of getting into 
practice with the native bows and arrows that 
their guide had obtained for them. 

These bows were made of whalebone and were 
about four feet long. They were stout affairs and 
made the stronger by sinew cord along the back. 
The arrows were of walrus hide, twisted and dried 
so that, while somewhat flexible, they were ex- 
tremely elastic. They were tipped with whale- 
bone. 

One evening, about a week after their arrival, 
Jim returned to the hotel leading an animal that 
filled Ralph and Archie with delight. It was a 
dog that looked like a small Newfoundland. Long 
called him Tchort,’^ a name that made the boys 
laugh. 


84 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


WeVe now got the ‘ Long ’ and ^ Tchort ’ 
of it/’ observed Ealph, laughing. What^do you 
call him ‘ Tchort ’ for, Mr. Long? ” 

You’ll find out when you see him get after a 
bear,” replied Jim, with assurance. “ Tchort is 
the Russian word for devil.” 

What a horrid name for such a fine looking 
animal,” said Archie. Just think of calling our 
Prince, ‘ Devil.’ ” 

That might do for a bulldog, but not for a 
greyhound,” replied Ealph. 

The boys would have been glad to bring Prince 
along, but they knew the greyhound would be of 
little value in a bear hunt. He had been a favorite 
companion with them on many a hunt for smaller 
or less ferocious game, but Ralph and Archie 
thought too much of him to risk his life in a fight 
with the largest of carnivora. 

The landlord found a place for Tchort to sleep 
in, in a shed at the rear of the hotel. The dog was 
a mixed-breed, known as a ‘ ‘ husky. ’ ’ There are 
many of his kind on Kadiak Island, having been 
bred especially for bear hunting. They are 
crossed with enough wolf blood to give them a 
cold, fierce-eyed appearance. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 85 

Jim Long told several stories about bear-hunt- 
ing dogs on the evening when he brought Tchort 
back to the hotel. 

‘ ‘ I recollect one experience I had with another 
dog when I was here last,” he said. I called 
that feller Tchort too. He was a fine beast, only 
he was kind o ’ old, and had lost half his teeth. 

‘ ‘ Tchort had had a good many bear fights when 
I got hold o’ him. As his teeth got loose, his jaws 
didn’t get weaker, so you see what happened. 

One day I was huntin’ bear up in the spruce 
timber. This was after Keeler ’d stole my 
baidarkas and my Aleuts. I’d hired another 
canoe and a couple of natives. 

We was up there two weeks before we got a 
sight of a bear. There was a few tracks now and 
then, but they led away over the hills through 
snowdrifts over our heads.” 

How do the bears get through the deep 
snow? ” inquired Ralph. 

“ They don’t get through much of it,” replied 
Jim. They sleep most of the winter. But some- 
times they get out kind o’ early in the spring and 
find a lot o’ snow. A bear can travel good an’ 
swift over clear ground, but when he gets in deep 


86 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

snow he’s in trouble. When he’s on the hillside 
he’ll roll like a snowball. Every minute or two 
he strikes a drift, and then there’s more fun. 
Sometimes it takes him a whole day to travel a 
few miles.” 

^ ^ I should think it would be very easy to catch 
him when he’s going so slow,” suggested Ralph. 

What you goin’ to do? ” asked Jim. It’s 
just as hard for you to travel as him. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Don’t they use snowshoes? ” 

‘‘ Sometimes. But they ain’t enough hears out 
that time o ’ the year to make it worth while ; and 
to tell the truth, they ain’t enough out any time to 
brag about.” 

Both Ralph and Archie looked doubtfully at 
their friend. Had they come all the way from 
San Francisco only to be disappointed? Was it 
possible that they might hunt Kadiak bear in 
vain? Yes, it was possible, but only barely pos- 
sible, according to Jim Long, who did not hesitate 
to express a good deal of confidence in himself. 

‘‘Now don’t get down in the mouth,” he said 
reassuringly. “ I didn’t mean to dash all your 
hopes to the ground. I only wanted to let you 
know how hard it is to get a look at Kadiak bear. 


The Kipg Bear of Kadiak Island 87 

to say nothin^ o’ killin’ ’em, so you’ll know how 
to ’predate Jim Long when he puts you in arrow- 
shot o’ the real thing.” 

How about your experience with the bear 
dog? ” reminded Archie. 

Oh, yes,” replied Jim. Let’s see, where 
was I? ” 

‘‘ You hadn’t met the bear yet,” suggested 
Ralph. 

“ Well, we met one all right, but the snow was 
three feet deep on the level. How he ever hap- 
pened to come out in such weather, I don’t know. 
Mebbe he was nervous and couldn’t sleep. Mebbe 
he was so hungry he had to find somethin’ to fill 
up on. Anyway, he was there in plain sight. He 
come rollin’ and tumblin’ down a big hill. We 
was hid in a clump o’ cottonwood. We almost 
laid down in the snow and waited, for we could 
see Ole Midwit was headed right for us. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Old Midwit! ” exclaimed Ralph. “Was it 
the big bear that lives with the old man? ” 

“ No, no,” replied Jim. “ Midwit’s just the 
Aleut name for bear.” 

“ But you spoke o’ that great big bear as Old 
Midwit, just as if that was his name.” 


88 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


‘‘ An’ so it is,” replied Jim. You talk about 
Ole Midwit anywhere on Kadiak Island, and it’ll 
be known right away what you mean, if you mean 
the big bear. It depends on the way you say it. ’ * 
‘ ‘ I understand what he means, ’ ’ interposed Mr. 
Nelson. “ He means that this great bear has been 
spoken of so long and so often as Old Midwit, or 
Old Bear, that it has become a name for him. It’s 
similar to the case of the king of Egypt that op- 
pressed the Israelites. We think of him as 
Pharoah, but that is only the title of a line of 
kings. The Pharoah who forced the Israelites to 
make bricks without straw was Eameses II.” 

‘‘ I understand,” said Ealph. But how about 
the bear in the snow? ” 

‘ ‘ Oh, he come along all right — purty slow 
though,” replied Long. ‘‘ The wind was bio win ^ 
from him to us so he couldn’t smell us.” 

“ Were you huntin’ with guns or bows and 
arrows? ” asked Ealph. 

‘‘ Bows an’ arrows, of course. I never used a 
gun in Kadiak. The bear got in fifty yards of 
us and stopped. He seemed to smell somethin’. 
He was looking right towards us. I saw it was 
time to shoot, and let loose. My arrow was a sig- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 89 

nal for Tchort. He shot ahead just as the arrow 
struck behind Old Midwit ^s left foreleg. It sunk 
deep, and ought to killed him. It hurt him awful, 
that was plain. He growled like thunder and 
kicked up the snow like a thrashing machine. 

Tchort had his troubles gettin’ through the 
snow. He couldn’t go much faster ’n we could. 
The bear turned to run, an’ I let drive another 
that stuck in his hind quarters. He turned an’ 
bit at it and lost time. Tchort gained on ’im, but 
before he caught up, I stuck the bear again good 
an’ hard. 

It seemed impossible to kill him. When the 
dog was in a few feet o’ him, he turned to fight. 
Tchort was a brave dog, and jumped at him. I 
thought he was crazy, but he showed he knowed 
more’n I did. I didn’t dare shoot any more for 
fear I’d hit the dog. Tchort flew right into the 
arms o’ the bear, and I thought he was a goner. 
The bear went down on top o’ him, an’ I thought 
he ’d break his back or neck or somethin ’. But the 
snow kept on flyin’, and purty soon I saw the dog 
crawl out from behind the bear. He’d crawled 
clean under him. 

Then he turned and got hold o’ one o’ the 


90 


The Boys' Big Game Series 


bear’s bind legs. It must ’a’ been a vise-grip, 
for be held on like death. Tbe big feller spun 
around like a top with Tcbort’s ole broken teetb 
in bis leg. Then be suddenly stopped and laid 
still. In tbe figbt, be’d drove tbe arrow in bis 
side right into his heart. ’ ’ 

Ralph and Archie were delighted with this . 
story, the more so since it was true. At their re- 
quest, Jim told them a good deal about the pecu- 
liarities and habits of Kadiak bears. 

These bears sleep all winter, or most of it,” 
he said. “ Once in awhile they wake up an’ peek 
outdoors an’ find it still cold and the ground cov- 
ered with snow. That means back to bed again. 

“ They live in caves in the mountains and hills. 
When Mr. Bear wakes up in the spring he’s as 
wobbly as a leaky balloon. He totters about on 
his legs like a baby that has to use a chair to 
walk. First he walks only a little ways, but as the 
days go by he gets stronger and stronger. When 
he gets strong enough, he goes farther away from 
his cave and gets to stayin’ out nights. He’s an 
awful hungry feller about this time, and will eat 
anything — kelp, grass or roots. It’s mostly kelp 
an’ roots at first. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 91 

About June, the salmon come up the streams 
an’ he gets a new kind o’ food. He wades in the 
water an ’ stands in the middle o ’ the stream and 
scoops the fish out with his big left paw. He’s 
a left hander, this Kadiak bear. He flips the fish 
out on the bank, and then goes up an ’ eats ’em. ’ ’ 

“ Where did the natives of this island come 
from? ” asked Ralph. 

They’re mixed-bloods,” replied Long. 

That’s about all I know of ’em. They’re called 
Aleuts also. But they really ain’t Aleuts, ’cause 
they’re only half-breeds — part Russian and part 
Aleut. ’ ’ 

Are the Aleuts, Indians? ” asked Archie. 

‘‘ No,” replied Mr. Nelson. They are Eski- 
mos. The real Aleuts live off west on the Aleutian 
Islands.” 

Three weeks passed before the hunters were 
able to make a start on their hunting trip. The 
reason for this delay was largely the inclemency 
of the weather, which was unusually severe. In 
the meantime, Mr. Nelson and the boys became 
familiar with the town of Kadiak and its neigh- 
borhood. They made a number of short excur- 
sions, when the weather permitted, to places of 


92 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


interest. They visited a large fox farm on Long 
Island near Kadiak, where were nearly a thou- 
sand blue foxes. They went hunting for geese, 
mallards, and ptarmigans, and had fairly good 
success. The boys were well pleased with the skill 
they acquired with their short bone bows, and 
were really convinced that these weapons were 
superior to the long bows to which they had been 
accustomed. 

These trips were made in baidarkas. As Mr. 
Nelson vished to take every precaution possible 
against fatal or serious accident or misfortune, he 
had two large baidarkas built for their use during 
their stay on the island. These canoes were of 
strong, elastic framework, and were covered with 
sea lion skins. No nails were used in their con- 
struction, the parts being tied together with 
tough, dried strips of hide. Each of the baidarkas 
had three hatches, in which the occupants knelt. 
The decks were of skin stretched from gunwale to 
gunwale. For rough weather, the occupants were 
supplied with bear-gut jackets that could be 
fastened to the deck, and thus keep not only them- 
selves dry, but also the interior of the canoes. 

It was a novel experience for Ralph and Archie, 


The King Bear of Kadiah Island 93 

but it was not altogether pleasant. The weather 
was fitful, and the astronoms, or native weather 
prophets, sometimes made mistakes. Eain or 
snow could be expected at almost any time, 
although the precipitation at Kadiak is twenty per 
cent less than at Sitka. But the island is swept by 
the Japan current, a fact that accounts for the sur- 
prisingly mild temperature and heavy and fre- 
quent falls of rain and snow. 

Mr. Nelson, through the agency of Jim Long, 
who proved very valuable as an interpreter, en- 
gaged the services of two natives. These natives 
were the ones that built the two baidarkas for the 
hunters, and they agreed to serve as long as they 
might be needed. 

Neither of them could speak much English. 
They spoke a mixture of Aleutian and Eussian. 
Both of them were young, one being about thirty- 
five and the other about twenty. Their skins 
were dark, and Mr. Nelson observed that they 
might even be mistaken for Japanese. 

One of these half-breed natives was known as 
Dane Kuro. He was the older and was quiet and 
stolid looking. He knew hardly any English 
words, and had a favorite way of warding off con- 


94 The Boys* Big Game Series 

versation even with Jim Long. To ninety per 
cent of the questions put to him, he replied, 
Nish Naiou/* which meant, I donT know.” 
The other’s name was Ignati Fognac. He was 
jolly and extremely talkative. Both of these na- 
tives were pictures of health, muscular and ac- 
customed to all kinds of exposure. 

Ealph and Archie took it upon themselves to 
become teachers of Ignati and at the same time 
his pupils. They made slow progress at first, but 
by the time they were ready to start out on their 
bear hunt, Ignati had learned a good many Eng- 
lish words and phrases and the white boys were 
passing Aleut-Eussian with considerable satisfac- 
tion. 


CHAPTEE IX 


BRIBING THE ASTRONOM 

One day, a trim forty-foot sloop sailed into the 
harbor, and Jim hastened down to make inquiries 
about her. He was closely followed by Ralph and 
Archie. The vessel was anchored out in the bay, 
three hundred feet from the shore, and Jim began 
to look about for means of getting aboard. 

The sloop was of the center-board type, with 
fore-and-aft rig consisting of a boom-and-gatf 
mainsail, jibs, staysail and gaff topsail. Evi- 
dently her builder was a nautical carpenter who 
knew his business well, for he seemed to have con- 
structed her after the most approved plans. It 
was the excellent character of the vessel that par- 
ticularly attracted the attention of Long. There 
was a canoe on the shore near by, but the owner 
was not present, and Jim did not wish to commit 
the questionable act of appropriating it to his 
own use. A small half log, half slab house stood 
a few yards away. Jim rapped loudly on the 
door, but received no reply. Then he returned to 
95 


96 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

the canoes, where the boys were waiting for him, 
and announced that they would wait for some one 
to appear. Presently his face lighted up at the 
sight of a young half-breed approaching from the 
village. 

‘‘ If that boy don’t own this canoe, he knows 
the owner,” said Jim. “ He’ll take us out to the 
sloop.” 

Long’s interest in the vessel was of a practical 
nature. Ever since they had landed at Kodiak, 
he had been on the lookout for such a craft to con- 
vey them and their outfit to their hunting grounds. 
Here seemed to be just the little ship for their 
purpose. 

There comes Keeler! ” 

Ealph could hardly have said anything to startle 
his friend more. He was first to see the man with 
the glass eye, as the latter came into view. Jim 
gave an expression of displeasure, and appeared 
to be a little nervous. 

‘‘ What’s the matter? ” asked Ralph. 

Nothin’ yet,” replied Long. But I’m 
afraid Scott Keeler’s got his eye on that sloop 
too.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 97 

What do you suppose he wants of it? in- 
quired Archie. 

“ The same as we do. He’s runnin’ things for 
the two Englishmen. They don’t want to risk 
rough weather in a baidarka any more ’n we do. ’ ’ 

At this moment a shrill whistle reached their 
ears. It came from Keeler, and seemed to be in- 
tended to attract the attention of the native ahead 
of him. The latter turned his head, and Keeler 
motioned him to stop. The man with the glass 
eye was about two hundred yards from the Frisco 
bear-hunters. The half-breed was midway be- 
tween them. He seemed to be disposed to obey 
the wishes of Keeler, when Jim Long interfered. 

The latter also blew a shrill blast through his 
teeth, and the native looked back toward the party 
on the shore. Keeler whistled again and in- 
creased his rapid walk to a run. Long also ran 
toward the half-breed, who continued to advance 
slowly. Ralph and Archie followed their friend. 

‘‘ I know that fellow,” said Ralph. “ He is a 
friend of Ignati’s. If he recognizes us, we’ll get 
what we want out of him.” 

‘‘ We’ll get it anyway,” promised Jim. 

As they approached the native. Long reached 


98 The Boys’ Big Game Series 

into his pocket and drew out a coin. This he held 
up before the boy, whose eyes danced at the sight. 

Then there followed a few words in the native 
tongue between them. The native nodded his 
head, reached out his hand, received the half dol- 
lar, advanced to the canoe and began to drag it 
into the water. Keeler, seeing that he had lost 
in the contest, turned around and went back to the 
village. 

It was a comparatively warm day for that time 
of the year. There had been considerable rain, 
and much of the snow had disappeared. The hay 
was quiet, and outside, the water was little dis- 
turbed by wind or ocean swells. 

Jim and the boys were soon put aboard the 
sloop, and met the captain on the deck. He was 
a Eussian of fierce, shaggy appearance. His hair 
and heard and eyebrows were long and coarse. 
He was large, and his voice was heavy, and he 
looked as if he would dare anything. 

And, in fact, he would. Captain Bouranoff had 
a reputation for being a most daring man of the 
sea, and his sloop had braved the fiercest storms. 
One of his favorite performances consisted of get- 
ting ahead of the fur company and buying up pelts 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 99 

that natives in varions parts of the island had 
taken and were holding for sale. Each spring the 
company’s steamer came after these skins, hut 
did not gather in the entire harvest. Captain 
Bouranoff, with an eye to being first on the 
ground, would stock up with provisions and sup- 
plies at one of the mainland towns, and then sail 
around Kadiak, Afognak and the Kenai penin- 
sula on a profitable bartering trip. 

It was almost like smuggling, for the captain 
found it wise to keep such movements as secret as 
possible. The fur company was powerful in that 
section, and might have made things uncomfort- 
able for him if it had known the extent of his 
operations. As it was, he was eyed with suspicion 
whenever he visited the fur company’s store. 

Jim Long had met Captain Bouranoff a few 
years before, and knew something of his reputa- 
tion. He recognized the shaggy Russian imme- 
diately, although the latter did not recognize 
Long. He, however, remembered the hunter 
when the latter spoke of their former meeting. 

Where you bound for? ” asked Jim, after he 
had introduced Ralph and Archie. 


100 The Boys* Big Game Series 

EigM here/^ replied the captain, who spoke 
English fairly well. 

“ Of course,’’ said Jim. ‘‘ But we want to find 
out if we can get the use o’ your boat for a few 
days. ’ ’ 

Going hear hunting? ” 

Yes.” 

Where? ” 

Bound past Karluk.” 

‘‘ Goin’ after Old Midwit? ” 

‘‘ We thought we’d hunt in that neighborhood, 
an’ if we can find him, all right. ” 

I hear a lot of talk about him — and Old 
Long Hair, too. They say there’s several midwit 
in that neighborhood. I tell you what I can do 
for you. I’ll take you round to Kaguiac and get 
you a little schooner that’ll be just what you want. 
A friend of mine over there’s got one and ain’t 
doing much with it. He’ll he glad to take you 
along the coast anywhere you want to go.” 

‘‘ That’ll suit us,” said Jim eagerly. When 
you goin’ to start? ” 

‘ ‘ Whenever the astronom says so, ’ ’ replied the 
captain. I’ve got two Aleut sailors who’ve got 
it into their heads that we’re going to have dan- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 101 

gerous weather. They wouldn’t have it any other 
way than I must come into Kodiak, so they could 
see an astronom.” 

Why don’t you slip him somethin’? ” sug- 
gested Long. 

Think I will if he don’t give us good weather. 
I’ll wait till they come back, and if they don’t 
have a good report. I’ll take a hand in this weather 
prophesying to-morrow.” 

How many men you got? ” 

Just them two and my boy, Ivan. He’s gone 
ashore with the Aleuts.” 

I s’pose it’s up to us to come aboard right 
away,” said Jim. 

Yep. Bring on your traps jus’ as fast as you 
can. I won’t spend five minutes longer ’n I have 
to in this place.” 

S’pose I go to the weather prophet an’ slip 
him somethin’,” suggested Jim. Your Aleuts 
might get s’picious if you go.” 

Good idea; go ahead. But get your traps 
aboard this afternoon.” 

The three were taken ashore in a canoe, and 
returned to the hotel, where they informed Mr. 
Nelson of their success. Mr. Nelson had remained 


102 The Boys* Big Game Series 

in his room to work on his journal, which he was 
keeping with much detail. He stopped his work 
immediately as they burst through his door, and 
a few words sufficed to turn his attention to prep- 
arations for another, though shorter, sea voyage. 

It was noon when Jim and the two boys returned 
to the hotel, and by four o ’clock all their effects, in- 
cluding their two baidarkas and Tchort, had been 
transferred to the sloop S^elikoffi. Although Mr. 
Nelson had no good reason for feeling particu- 
larly friendly toward Robinson and Burns, in 
view of their attempt to induce Long to go with 
them, he felt that he ought not to let the incident 
result in resentful silence. They were not ras- 
cals; indeed, they seemed to be pretty good fel- 
lows of their kind, only they had perhaps been a 
little too assiduous in looking out for number one. 
So Mr. Nelson sought them out before leaving the 
hotel, bade them good-bye and wished them suc- 
cess on their hunting trip. 

Probably Keeler had said nothing to his em- 
ployers about the manner in which the rival party 
had got ahead of him in the race for passage on 
the sloop. At least, nothing in their manner in- 
dicated that they bore the Frisco hunters any ill- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 103 


will, and they parted, to all appearances, good 
friends. Why Keeler had not sought passage on 
the sloop after the others were put aboard was 
best known to himself, but there is little doubt 
that he wished to avoid another sea trip on the 
same boat with Jim Long. 

After all preparations for the voyage had been 
made, the four bear-hunters set out for the home 
of the local astronom. They found this native 
weather prophet living in a good frame dwelling 
in the outskirts of the town. He was a dignified 
half-breed about fifty years old. His countenance 
was one of great wisdom, assumed or otherwise, 
and he regarded his visitors with an air of quiet 
superiority. 

<< We’ve come to see you about the weather for 
the next few days,” said Long, addressing the 
astronom in the native tongue. We understand 
you are preparing a forecast for two Aleut sailors 
who came to see you to-day. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Yes,” replied the prophet. But it won’t be 
finished until to-morrow. I’ve been out on the hill 
behind the house several hours studying the winds 
and the clouds, and I want to study the stars and 


104 


The Boys’ Big Game Series 


the moon to-night, if they come out. I’ll have my 
forecast ready to-morrow morning.” 

Can you give us any idea now what it will 
he? ” 

Not a word,” said the prophet. “ I may 
have an idea, but one little breath of wind, or one 
little twinkle of a star, or a frown or a smile on the 
face of the man in the moon may change the whole 
complexion of affairs.” 

‘‘ All o’ you go outdoors an’ I’ll meet you there 
in a few minutes,” said Jim, addressing his com- 
panions. 

The latter obeyed, and in five minutes Jim is- 
sued from the house, a broad smile telling his 
story. 

How much did you give him? ” inquired Mr. 
Nelson. 

Two dollars,” replied the prophet-briber. 

An’ you ought to’ve seen the look in his eyes. 
I thought he’d eat those two silver dollars just by 
lookin’ at ’em. Money’s so scarce around here 
that when you show a coin to a half-breed, he 
nearly goes crazy. ’ ’ 

How did you work it with him? ” asked Mr. 
Nelson. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 105 

I just showed him the money and’ said, ‘ This 
much if you bring good enough weather for 
sailin’.’ He nodded his head an’ made a dive for 
the dough. We’ll sail to-morrow morning, un- 
less it blackens up and proves the astronom a 
liar.” 


CHAPTER X 

CAPTAIN BOURANOFF’s SLOOP 

Is it right to bribe a person to make a false 
report? asked Ralph, as the four started on their 
return to the sloop. 

No, it ainT,’^ replied Long, uphesitatingly. 
‘‘ It ain’t right to ask anybody to tell a lie, an’ I 
didn’t ask the astronom to make a false report. I 
just paid him for lettin’ me make the guess instead 
o’ him, an’ I can guess just as good as him. If I 
didn’t think we was goin’ to have decent weather, 
I wouldn’t want to sail any more’n anybody else.” 

‘‘ You don’t think the astronoms are very trust- 
worthy then,” observed Mr. Nelson. 

‘‘Trustworthy! I wouldn’t trust ’em as far 
as I could throw a soap bubble. First of all, 
they’re after tusks or pelts, or money when they 
can get it, just the same as anybody else. An’ 
when you hold these up before their eyes, they fall. 
They may think they can tell you what the 
weather’s goin’ to be, but when you’re dealin’ 
106 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 107 

with, a feller that likes money more’n the truth, 
get busy with your wits, I say.’^ 

Jim^s prophecy as to the forecast of the astro- 
nom proved to be well-founded. The ShelikofP 
sailed next morning with the authoritative ’’ 
assurance that there was no astral, lunar, or other 
indications of treacherous weather. Like most 
prophets of more or less superstitious character, 
however, this astronom gave an ambiguous fore- 
cast. It was so worded that even if there should 
come a severe storm in the near future, the oracle 
could hide behind his own construction of what 
constitutes a severe storm. 

But all the Aleuts on board the Shelikolf, in- 
cluding the two whose services the bear-hunters 
had engaged, were satisfied. They had implicit 
confidence in the astronom, and seemed to be un- 
able to discern evidence of dishonesty in his 
prophesies. 

But strangely enough, the sloop had not been 
more than three hours at sea when she met with a 
lively squall that demanded close attention to pre- 
vent a swamping of the little vessel. It lasted 
about an hour, and after it had spent itself, Ivan, 
the captain’s son, who had a keen sense of humor. 


108 The Boys* Big Game Series 

made sport of the half-breeds for their supersti- 
tious confidence in the astronom. They shook 
their heads in bewilderment but it was evident 
that their faith was not to be shaken by so small 
a matter. Presently, they concocted an argument 
of defence, and the real significance of the ambig- 
uity of the forecast became evident. The squall, 
having spent it fury and the sloop and its crew 
and passengers being safe and uninjured, the na- 
tive sailors argued that it was only a little affair 
anyway, and hardly to be taken into account by a 
weather prophet. 

Shortly before sundown the sloop put into a bay 
on the southern coast of the island for the night. 
In the morning the captain was rowed ashore, 
leaving his twenty-year-old son in charge. It was 
a cold but clear day, and the view from the deck 
of the sloop was interesting. A heavy snow had 
fallen in the night, and all ashore was glistening 
whiteness. Everything before them was a treeless 
stretch of cliffs and hills and mountains, with 
graceful depressions among them. 

Some distance back from the shore was a cluster 
a half a dozen barabaras, houses made of drift- 
wood and sod. It was toward these that Captain 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 109 

Bouranoif was being rowed. Mr. Nelson, Jim 
Long, Ealph and Archie stood on the deck of the 
sloop and gazed upon the scene before them. 

‘‘ The captain’s up to his old tricks,” observed 
Jim, as the row-boat was driven upon the beach. 

What’s that? ” inquired Ealph, with a look- 
of curious surprise. 

He’s gettin’ ahead of the fur company.” 

“^How? ” 

“ By cornin’ around an’ buyin’ up the furs o’ 
the native hunters. It’s a favorite stunt o’ his. 
The company don’t like it a bit, but he’s smart 
enough to put it over on ’em, so they don’t know 
how much business he does.” 

How does he put it over on them? ” asked Mr. 
Nelson. 

<< Why, he’ll buy only about half o’ the furs a 
hunter’s got, so that when the company’s boat 
comes around, it’ll get some too. He gives the 
natives better prices ’n the company gives, an’ 
they keep their mouths shut about it. ’ ’ 

But how does he dispose of his furs? ” in- 
quired Ealph. The company won’t buy them 
from him, will it? ” 

You leave that to Captain Bouranoff,” re- 


110 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

plied Jim. He^s smart enough to take care o^ 
that part. I’m only surprised he ain’t runnin’ a 
company o ’ his own. Mebby he is almost. ’ ’ 

In less than an hour, the captain’s boat returned 
to the Shelikoff, followed by a baidarka paddled 
by two natives, and loaded with pelts. The bai- 
darka was run alongside and the skins tossed 
aboard, and then the sloop’s men proceeded to fill 
the canoe with provisions and supplies. After the 
bartering had been finished, the sloop filled sail 
and resumed her course to the southwest. 

Mr. Nelson and his fellow travelers would 
gladly have gone ashore with Captain Bouranoff, 
but the latter evidently wished only his native sail- 
ors for company. His cool, uncommunicative 
manner indicated this. The hunting party took 
the hint, and no suggestion was made as to their 
wishes. 

Three more stops were made for furs before 
they reached Kaguiac on the evening of the sec- 
ond day out from Kodiac. The ShelikofP re- 
mained in the harbor during the night, and mean- 
while Jim Long got into communication with the 
owner of the schooner that Mr. Nelson hoped to 
charter for the hunting season. This owner was 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 111 

a half-breed about forty years old, Captain Nik- 
olai Fedor. He said that be would engage to take 
them to tbeir bunting grounds, but that bis vessel, 
tbe Sea Otter, would not be available for five 
days. He bad made arrangements for a fishing 
trip and sea otter bunt which would require that 
length of time. 

Jim then asked if he and his friends might go 
with the party. He was informed that they would 
be welcome if they paid for the privilege. The 
price asked proved to be reasonable and arrange- 
ments were made for the event. 

According to the custom. Captain Fedor had 
consulted the local weather prophet, and it would 
not be known positively until morning if they 
would be able to start at the time planned. The 
forecast proved to be unfavorable, and they were 
delayed in tbe place two days. A heavy storm 
raged on the second night after their arrival and 
made the sea a dangerous place for craft larger 
than the Sea Otter. 

I guess you’ll have more respect for the as- 
tronoms, now,” said Mr. Nelson, with a twinkle in 
his eye, to Jim Long as the hunters sat listening 
to the storm. They had been given crowded ac- 


112 The Boys* Big Game Series 

commodations in the little home of the owner of 
the Sea Otter. 

Humph! replied Jim. Any landsman 
cooped in a cellar all his life could ’a’ told what 
was cornin’. If he’d told us to go ahead this 
mornin’, I’d ’a’ kicked.” 

The third day was clear and chilly, excellent 
weather for a sea otter hunt. The astronom ap- 
proved a departure, and the schooner, loaded with 
baidarkas and natives, set out for the hunting 
grounds.” Several otter had been seen near a 
small island a day’s sail from Kaguiac, and it was 
for this place that the little vessel was headed. 

The island was reached without notable event. 
It was near evening when they arrived. A good 
harbor was found in a little bay well shielded by 
high banks, and everything was made snug and 
comfortable for the night. 

The evening was spent in preparations for the 
next day. The boys learned from conversation 
with Ignati that the half-breeds were much more 
interested in the otter hunt than in their fishing 
plans. Probably they would not have fished at all 
on this trip if they could have been reasonably 
certain of good results from their hunt for pelts. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 113 

The natives got out their bows and arrows and ex- 
amined them carefully. A number of new arrows 
were made, and Ealph and Archie watched the 
work with much interest. These shafts were dif- 
ferent in certain respects from those used for 
shooting land animals. In the whalebone tip of an 
arrow used for shooting sea animals is fitted a 
piece of whale’s tooth. To this is attached a long 
string, the other end being tied to the middle of 
the arrow, and the slack wound around the shaft. 

There is a wild cleverness in this contrivance. 
When the arrow sinks into the game, the latter 
struggles and succeeds in disengaging the shaft; 
but the barbed piece of tooth remains in the flesh, 
and as the sea otter or other animal attempts to 
escape by swimming it becomes exhausted soon by 
being forced to drag the arrow by the string 
through the water. 

Ealph, Archie, Mr. Nelson and Jim Long caused 
the two half-breeds in their employ to make them 
some arrows of this kind. They might not be 
able to use them in this hunt, but they wanted 
several as souvenirs or to use later in their stay 
at Kadiak, if opportunity should arise. 

<< I hope we’ll get those three otter skins for 


114 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


Aleta and Aunt Jessie/’ said Archie, as the four 
hunters were ‘ ‘ turning in. ” “I’m goin ’ to do my 
best to shoot one. ’ ’ 

“It’d be great work,” replied Ralph. “ But 
I’m afraid we won’t stand much show against all 
these natives. There are fifteen baidarka loads 
of ’em on the schooner, an’ they’re not going to let 
a couple o ’ white kids like us get ahead of ’em. ’ ’ 

“ It does look doubtful for us,” agreed Archie; 
“ but you forget we’ve got two half-breeds an’ 
Mr. Long with us. I don’t believe there’s a half- 
breed on Kadiak who can shoot better ’n Mr. Long, 
with a bow an’ arrow.” 

“ I guess you’re right there all right,” said 
Ralph. ‘ ‘ I don ’t see how anybody could beat him. 
An’ we’ve learned to be good shots ourselves, 
Archie. I won’t give up hope. We’ll do our level 
best.” 

With this resolve, the boys got into their bunks 
and soon were fast asleep, dreaming of half-breeds 
and bows and arrows and sea otters and three val- 
uable skins to take back to San Francisco with the 
triumph of a youthful ambition. 


CHAPTER XI 


THE OTTER HUNT 

Early in the morning everybody was astir. The 
baidarkas were lowered from the schooner, which 
was left in its mooring place. Bows, arrows, nets 
and lines were put into the canoes, and the hunters 
got into the hatches, took their paddles in hand and 
pushed away from the vessel ’s side. 

Ralph and his father and Dane Kuro occupied 
one of Mr. Nelson’s baidarkas and Archie and Jim 
Long and Ignati Fognac occupied the other. Each 
worked a narrow, sharp-pointed paddle. Mr. Nel- 
son and the boys had learned to propel the canoe 
after the peculiar native fashion, and were proud 
of their quickly acquired skill, although impatient 
with the snakelike course resulting. 

The early half of the first day at the island was 
spent fishing. A constant lookout was kept mean- 
while for otter, but it was not until nearly two 
o’clock in the afternoon that one was sighted. 
The baidarkas were spread out in a fan-shaped 
figure half a mile wide. In this manner they were 
115 


116 


The Boys' Big Game Series 


able to sweep over a large area while nothing of 
importance within that area escaped their notice. 

They began this search by sweeping close 
around the island. The second lap was half a 
mile farther out, and it was while they were mak- 
ing this that the first cry of a discovery was 
raised. It came near the center of the fan,’’ 
and the canoes began at once to form a circle 
around the animal. At the same time they com- 
menced to close in on him, the circle becoming 
smaller and smaller. 

Naturally Ealph and Archie were excited. 
Their baidarkas were among those nearest to the 
game, and they bent all their energies to the pad- 
dles. Kneeling, as was the custom, in the hatches 
of their canoes, they set their teeth and worked 
as they had seldom worked before. Ealph was 
particularly impatient with what he considered 
the nonsensical method of paddling. He felt that 
much time was lost in the zigzag course of the 
baidarkas. 

But Mr. Otter was not to be caught so easily 
in a trap of this kind. Just as the bowman in the 
nearest boat was about to let an arrow fly, the 
animal pushed his nose downward and disap- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 117 

peared. Long, a keen observer of the habits of 
animals, quickly decided that the game had dived 
in one of two directions. Either the otter was 
continuing to swim straight ahead, or had turned 
a somersault and twist and was fleeing in the op- 
posite direction. Jim^s and Archie ^s baidarka 
was only a few yards from that occupied by Mr. 
Nelson and Ealph, and Jim said to them : 

“ You paddle straight north two hundred 
yards, and watch for him to come up. We’re 
goin’ the other way.” 

This instruction was repeated in Russian to 
Dane, and immediately the two baidarkas were 
skimming away from each other. They stopped 
four hundred yards apart. All of the canoes 
were paddled out at similar distances from the 
center, forming a large circle, and a careful, 
eager watch was kept for the escaping game. 

Fifteen or twenty minutes elapsed before the 
otter appeared. Then Ralph observed sudden 
activity in the canoe of Jim and Archie. They 
had begun to paddle rapidly toward the south. 
Ralph was certain they had sighted the otter. 

This conviction was strengthened when Jim 
drew in his paddle and took up his bow. The 


118 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


next instant an arrow flew, and Jim laid aside 
the bow and took up his paddle again. This was 
enough. The other baidarkas were already flying 
toward the spot. 

Evidently the animal had been hit, for it was 
apparent that a struggle was going on in the 
water several yards ahead of Jim’s and Archie’s 
canoe. Presently the animal seemed to disengage 
the arrow from his flesh, for he ceased his strug- 
gles and swam rapidly away to westward. Balph 
wondered why he did not make another long dive 
but he soon learned the reason. 

The barbed piece of whale’s tooth in the end 
of the arrow had done its work. It had remained 
in the otter’s flesh, being still connected with the 
disengaged arrow shaft by a string a yard long. 
He did make one or two short dives that Ealph 
did not see, but came to the surface again as soon 
as he felt the pulling pain of the string. 

The dragging of the arrow through the water, 
together with the pain and probable loss of blood, 
soon began to tell on the animal’s endurance, and 
his speed slackened perceptibly. Jim did not 
shoot another arrow until he got close, as he did 
not wish to puncture the valuable hide again. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 119 

When within a few yards of the game, however, 
Long sent another shaft which struck Mr. Otter 
in the head, and he rolled over, struggled violently 
a few moments and lay still. 

As Jim drew his prize into the baidarka, the 
half-breeds paddled up as near as they could to 
get a view of the otter. They were profuse in 
their expressions of admiration for the skill of 
the white man with the native bow and arrow. 
Perhaps he could have excelled any of them had 
the matter been put to a test. The otter was one 
of the largest of his kind, the skin, when split and 
stretched, being over six feet long and three feet 
wide. His fur was in excellent condition. Ralph 
and Archie could not help being a little envious 
of the success of the tall hmiter, for they had 
promised to take back with them three otter skins 
as presents to Ralph’s mother and sister. 

As if reading their thoughts, Jim turned to 
Ralph and said: Here’s my share o’ that pres- 
ent to your mother an’ sister. Now see that you 
an’ Archie do your part.” 

^‘That’s what we set out to do,” replied Ralph. 

And we’re going to do it too.” 

But he spoke more confidently than he felt. Sea 


120 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

otters were no longer plentiful in the neighbor- 
hood of Kadiak Island. The hunt for them had 
for years been conducted with such slaughter 
that they were rapidly becoming extinct. Two 
more otter were discovered and bagged that 
afternoon, and then the hunters returned to the 
schooner. Next morning they fished again. An- 
other hunt was made for otter in the afternoon 
and five more were killed. Two more were shot 
on the following day. 

On the fifth morning, the schooner, with ten 
otter pelts and a good load of fish, was headed 
again for Kaguiac. The prediction of the as- 
tronom had proved to be reliable, for not a drop 
of rain fell nor did the wind become violent dur- 
ing the trip. 

At Kaguiac a surprise was in store for the Nel- 
son party. The steam schooner of the fur com- 
pany had arrived and dropped anchor for the 
night. It was still early, and as Mr. Nelson, 
Ealph, Archie and Jim Long did not know what 
to do with themselves on a dingy, fish-smelling 
native schooner, and the owner’s home was an 
uninteresting place, they decided to visit the com- 
pany ’s vessel. Jim suggested the visit. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 121 


‘‘ I know the captain o’ that schooner,” he said. 

He’s a good fellow. Let’s go over an’ see 
him.” 

Good suggestion,” said Mr. Nelson. “ What 
is he — a Russian? ” 

‘‘ Not a bit of it. He’s American clean 
through. Born in Bangor, Maine, put on ’is first 
long pants in Rheinlander, Wisconsin, came to 
Kadiak, married a peach of a native girl, made a 
little fortune huntin’ sea otter an’ Kadiak bear, 
an’ ended up by bein’ made captain of a fur com- 
pany schooner after the game got scarce. ’ ’ 

^‘What’s he doing here, do you suppose — 
picking up furs? ” asked Ralph. 

I s’pose so. He’s on the trail o’ Captain 
Bouranotf, mebbe.” 

The company couldn’t do anything to him if 
they’d catch him in the act, could they? ” 

No, I guess not. Don’t see what they could 
do unless they’d scuttle his ship, an’ set him 
adrift without sail, out o’ the path o’ steamers.” 

They wouldn’t do that, would they? ” shud- 
dered Archie. 

I don’t know. Sometimes some purty bad 


122 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

things is done by people with a lot o ’ money, for 
the sake o’ more money.” 

The party of four was rowed to the fur com- 
pany’s schooner, and there they met Captain 
Wade Geiger. There was nothing striking about 
him except his ferret-like eyes and thin tight- 
closing lips. Ealph and Archie were not well im- 
pressed by him at first, but in the course of the 
evening, their opinions changed considerably. By 
the time they left the schooner to return to the 
Sea Otter they were ready to pronounce him an 
interesting entertainer. But the most unexpected 
feature of the visit was not the entertainment sup- 
plied by Captain Geiger ; and it was not a pleasant 
feature, although none of the Frisco party would 
have argued against the visit had he known whom 
they would meet. The captain invited them into 
his cabin, produced several bottles of wine, 
ordered a light lunch, whispered a few words in 
the ear of the steward, and then sat down at the 
table and waited. 

We won’t uncork anything until the other 
guests of the evening come,” said the sea-host. 
“ They’ll be here in a few minutes.” 

Presently the cabin door opened, and three 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 123 

men entered. Captain Geiger arose and pro- 
ceeded with the introductions. 

Mr. Nelson/’ began the captain. These 
are three o’ my passengers. They’re bear-hunt- 
ers too. This is Mr. Robinson, this is Mr. Burns 
and this is Mr. Chapman. ’ ’ 

I believe I have met these gentlemen before,” 
replied Mr. Nelson, recognizing the two English- 
men and the ‘‘ man with the glass eye.” We 
were all on the same boat together coming to 
Kadiak. ’ ’ 

Then there’s no need of further introduc- 
tion,” said Captain Geiger; and we’ll all set 
down and have a little good cheer. ’ ’ 

Everybody shook hands at this unexpected 
meeting and everybody was pleased to meet 
everybody else, except — 

When Jim Long extended his hand to “ Chap- 
man,” he greeted him thus: 

Hello, Scott Keeler.” 


CHAPTEE XII 


A NOVEL TOAST 

No, no, youVe got the name wrong, inter- 
posed Captain Geiger. His name ain’t Keeler; 
it’s Chapman.” 

Beg pardon,” said Long. Glad to meet 
you again, Mr. Chapman.” 

Keeler, or Chapman, appeared somewhat con- 
fused at first, but he quickly regained his custom- 
ary composure, as if he regarded the ‘ ‘ mistake ’ ’ 
as unpremeditated. 

Then they all sat down at the table and the 
wine was poured and the luncheon served. The 
conversation drifted from this subject to that, 
hearing principally on Alaska and Alaskan ques- 
tions and bear hunting. Once Jim attempted to 
trap Captain Geiger into a discussion of Captain 
Bouranoff, hut his effort was a failure. Oh, yes. 
Captain Geiger knew him, had met him, and had 
often heard him spoken of, hut as to the nature 
of the business of the owner of the Shelikoff, he 
knew nothing in detail. 

124 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 125 

Jim would have put his questions mor^ point- 
edly, but he had no desire to make trouble for 
Captain Bouranoff. Possibly Captain Geiger did 
not suspect the full extent of Bouranoff’s opera- 
tions or he might take drastic steps to stop or 
hinder them. 

As time passed and the conversation drifted 
closer and closer to personal affairs, Jim felt a 
stronger and stronger disposition to become mis- 
chievous, and naturally this disposition was di- 
rected toward Keeler. At last when he could no 
longer control his mischievousness, he said: 

‘‘ Say, Keeler — I mean Chapman — forgive 
me for bein^ uncivilized; but how long have you 
had that glass eye? ’’ 

Keeler was equal to the occasion. His head 
was somewhat lighter than usual, for it was evi- 
dent he had been drinking before he joined the 
party, but he realized the importance of keeping 
an even temper and of finding in Long^s words no 
more meaning than appeared on the surface. 

‘‘ Ever since I was a baby,’’ he replied. I 
fell on a nursing bottle an’ broke it, an’ a piece 
pushed my eye back an’ stuck there. The doctor 


126 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

left it in, so’t I^d have to buy only half a pair of 
eye glasses when my eyes got weak/^ 

Ha, ha, ha! laughed Captain Geiger. 

That^s a good one. Eeally, Mr. Chapman, you 
ought to start writing fairy stories. 

Everybody, even Jim Long, enjoyed Keeler’s 
retort. Captain Geiger’s comment gave Jim the 
cue for another remark intended to have most 
significance for the man with the glass eye. 

Yes,” he said, “I think Keeler — I mean 
Chapman — could write some mighty interestin’ 
fairy stories about baidarkas an’ half-breeds an^ 
Ole Midwit, an’ Ole Long Hair.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, you flatter me too much, ’ ’ replied Keeler. 

It’s unbecoming you, Mr. Long, it’s unbecom- 
ing.” 

‘‘It’s you that’s too modest,” replied Jim, 
pouring out another glass of wine and letting his 
hand drop so heavily on the table that part of the 
glassful was spilled out. “ Now, you could enter- 
tain this crowd great, if you’d tell ’em that fairy 
story about when you saw Ole Midwit an’ Ole 
Long Hair an’ come mighty nigh killin’ Ole Mid- 
wit. ’ ’ 

“ You’re mistaken,” declared Keeler. “ I 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 127 

saw Old Midwit, but I never got close enough to 
shoot at him. But who told you all that stuff I ’ ’ 
‘‘You did, didn’t you? ” 

“Not when I was awake, I didn’t. An’ I don’t 
remember talkin’ to you when I was asleep.” , 

“ I don’t either,” replied Jim; “ but I thought 
I remembered talkin’ to you when you was awake. 
That was before you lost your eye.” 

“Then it must ’a’ been twelve years or more 
ago. I was struck in the eye with a buckshot. I 
was huntin’ geese, an’ shot at a flock of ’em right 
overhead. While I was takin’ aim for another, 
a shot from the first load fell back an’ hit me in 
the eye. It sunk right in the eyeball, an’ I had to 
have the whole thing taken out. ’ ’ 

“ My, but he can tell some fairy stories,” 
thought Ealph. “I’d put him up against Hans 
Christian Andersen any day. I’ve a notion to 
try a shot at ’im.” 

Ealph did. He put this question to Keeler : 

“ Have you ever been on Kadiak Island be- 
fore? ” 

“ Oh, yes,” replied the man with the glass eye 
unhesitatingly. “ I spent a whole season here 
a few years ago.” 


128 The Boys* Big Game Series 

I thought — ’’ Ealph was about to say, ‘‘ I 
thought you told Archie and me on the whaler 
that this was your first trip here,^’ but Jim, who 
was sitting next to him, reached under the table 
and gave his leg a severe pinch. This meant 
Don%’^ and Ealph didn/t.’’ He gave no ex- 
planation of what he thought, and was not pressed 
for one. 

did see Midwit, an’ Long Hair once about 
two miles away, but I couldn’t get near ’em,” 
continued Keeler. ‘‘ The snow was too deep an’ 
treacherous. I went upstream in a baidarka but 
didn’t dare go ashore very far. The snow was 
six or eight feet deep an’ had a crust on top. But 
the crust was so thin and the snow under it was 
so light, it was almost as dangerous to walk on 
it as to walk on thin ice over deep water. ’ ’ 

Another fairy story,” thought Ealph. 
Keeler went on: 

Well, we went upstream several miles, al- 
most as far as we could go. At last, I saw Old 
Midwit standin’ on a mountain ledge two miles 
away. ’ ’ 

How could you tell it was Old Midwit at such 
a distance? ” inquired Ajrchie. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 129 

^Cause he was so big,’’ replied Keeler. 

“ But you couldn’t tell much about the size of 
a bear so far away, could you! ” 

Oh, I had a pair o’ field glasses, an’ when I 
looked through ’em, what do you think I saw! ” 

The hear, of course,” said Robinson. 

Yes, I saw the bear, but I saw something 
else.” 

‘‘ Old Long Hair! ” inquired Archie. 

Exactly. He was standing right up close to 
the bear, an’ had one arm around Old Midwit’s 
neck. ’ ’ 

‘‘ You don’t say! ” exclaimed Jim, seemingly 
in awe, but really with derision, perceptible only 
to Keeler. 

You bet I do,” asserted the latter. I tell 
you that old man had that bear bewitched, an’ I 
hear he’s got him bewitched yet.” 

“ Are you folks goin’ to hunt for Ole Midwit 
on this trip! ” asked Jim. 

‘‘No. We might try it, but if we didn’t get 
him we’d probably have to go back empty- 
handed. ’ ’ 

“ Why! ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

“ ’Cause he’s either killed or drove away every 


130 


Boys' Big Game Series 


other bear except his mate in that part o ' the is- 
land. They say he wonT let another bear live 
within ten miles o ' him. ’ ' 

“ I’ve heard stories jnst like that about Midwit 
and Long Hair,” said Captain Geiger. I guess 
there must be somethin’ to ’em, too. I’ve often 
thought I’d like to go and see if I couldn’t take 
that bear’s pelt, but I’ve been so busy I never 
got around to it.” 

‘‘ He’s worth goin’ after if you’re willing to 
risk gettin’ nothin’ a whole season,” declared 
Keeler. 

Let’s drink the health of Midwit an’ the fel- 
low that bags ’im, ’ ’ suggested Captain Geiger. 

Mr. Nelson laughed. 

That’s a funny proposition,” he said. How 
can you drink the health o’ the bear and at the 
same time drink the health o’ somebody that’s 
goin’ to kill him? ” 

Everybody laughed, including the captain, who 
replied : 

Oh, don’t look so critical at what I say. If 
you don’t like the wine, don’t drink it.” But the 
men drank the impossible health proposed by 
Captain Geiger. 


The King Bear of KadiaJc Island 131 

At ten o’clock the Nelson party thanked Cap- 
tain Geiger for his hospitality, said good night 
and returned to the Sea Otter. As they were pre- 
paring to turn in, they discussed their visit with 
a great deal of amusement. 

Keeler’s got his good eye on you, Jim,” 
laughed Mr. Nelson. You didn’t put anything 
over on him to-night.” 

I didn’t try to,” replied Long. ‘‘ I didn’t 
want to give away that he was a crook. Ealph 
come near gettin’ him in a tight corner an’ I 
pinched his leg an’ made him stop. Didn’t I, 
Ealph? ” 

Yes,” answered the latter. 

‘‘ What did you do that for? ” Mr. Nelson in- 
quired. 

’Cause I ain’t got much use for those two 
Englishmen he’s with. I’d rather they’d find out 
for themselves what kind o’ feller he is. You 
know it’s better for some folks to learn by expe- 
rience.” 

Those Englishmen are pretty good fellows,” 
said Mr. Nelson. ‘‘ They didn’t try to do any- 
thing very bad. They’re looking out for their 
own interests, that’s all.” 


132 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

Well, I don^t like ’em anyway. I never was 
stuck on the English.” 

Mr. Nelson might have informed Jim that his 
grandfather was a native of England, that, in 
fact, he was distantly related to Lord Nelson, 
the great admiral of that name, but he thought 
it unwise. Long had a deep-seated dislike for 
anything British, and he probably would have 
resented any attempt to disturb his antipathy. 
The tall hunter cherished a patriotic pride be- 
cause a handful of revolutionists ‘ ‘ licked ’ ’ King 
George’s redcoats. And Mr. Nelson and the boys 
had become too fond of the good-hearted Jim to 
cross his deep-seated prejudices. 

One thing I don’t like about ’em,” persisted 
Jim as he got into his bunk. ‘‘ They let Keeler 
put over a lie an’ didn’t make a move to object. 
They ought to get it in the neck for that.” 

What was the lie? ” asked Ealph. 

<< Why Keeler told us they didn’t intend to go 
after Ole Midwit.” 

What makes you think that wasn’t true? ” 

’Cause I’m dead sure that’s where they’re 
goin ’. ’ ’ 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 133 

<< Why don’t Keeler go alone? Why don’t he 
fit out his own expedition? ” inquired Archie. 

’Cause he ain’t got the money. I don’t be- 
lieve he ’s after Ole Midwit so much either. ’ ’ 
What’s he after? ” asked Ralph. 

He’s got some reason for wantin’ to find 
Long Hair. I got a hint o’ that from little things 
he let drop in his talk when we was here together 
three years ago. There’s somethin’ doin’ an’ 
we’ll see more of Scott Keeler before we’re 
through with our hunt for Ole Midwit.” 

Little more was said, and pretty soon the bear- 
hunters on the Sea Otter were asleep. 


CHAPTEE XIII 

THE BAEABAKA IN THE HILLS 

Another delay of two days was ordered by the 
local weather prophet, and then the Nelson party 
got started for their hunting grounds. 

‘‘ Thank goodness, we’re away from the juris- 
diction o’ the weather fakers,” sighed Jim as they 
sailed out of Kaguiac harbor. Jurisdiction ” 
was one of Long’s few big words. 

You seem to hate the astronoms as deeply as 
you hate an Englishman and the man with the 
glass eye,” laughed Mr. Nelson. Now, sup- 
pose we have a hurricane to-day or to-night, what 
would you say then? ” 

In the first place, they don’t have hurricanes 
up here,” retorted Jim. They have them down 
where it’s hot.” 

That’s so,” admitted Mr. Nelson. I forgot 
my physical geography.” 

An’, in the second place, the astronom tole 
us to start this morning. I’ll be su ’prised if we 
don’t have a storm. That’ll prove again that the 
astronoms don’t know their business.” 

134 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 135 


And a storm did come late in the afternoon, but 
it was not until the schooner had dropped anchor 
for the night. It was not a very severe storm, 
and the Sea Otter probably would have had no 
difficulty in weathering it. Nevertheless, Jim 
Long found in it an element of discredit for the 
Kaguiac astronom, and expressed a few more 
opinions of contempt for ‘‘ the whole tribe of 
^em. ’ ’ 

On the following day they set sail again, and 
in the middle of the afternoon reached the mouth 
of the river near which Old Midwit was said to 
have been seen. Their first task now was to es- 
tablish a base of supplies, and for this purpose 
they had brought along a supply of driftwood and 
such pieces of old lumber as they could purchase 
at Kaguiac. Next morning they moved these up- 
stream about a mile, where they found a hollow 
place like a ravine, between two low hills and well 
protected from the winds. Here they found the 
ruins of a barabara, which Jim said was the one 
in which he had been robbed and deserted by Scott 
'"Keeler three years before. It was quite beyond 
repair, but there was a good deal of lumber in it 
that could be used in the construction of another. 


136 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

On a slight elevation between the hills and a 
dozen feet from the river they selected a site 
for their barabara or supply house. A short 
distance back from this spot was a small growth 
of cottonwood where they found abundant dead, 
dry fuel. After gathering a dozen armfuls of 
this and building a fire near the selected site, they 
began work on the barabara. 

The frame of the building was put up with 
little regard for the carpenter’s art. Their kit 
of tools contained only two axes, two hatchets, a 
hammer, a spade, a shovel and a few pounds of 
nails. No saw had been brought, as Jim regarded 
such a tool as evidence of civilized nonsense in a 
Kadiak wilderness. 

After the framework, characterized by numer- 
ous props and gaping cracks and joints, had been 
erected, the work of giving it stability and warmth 
was begun. The hot coals and ashes and burning 
wood were removed to an adjacent area and the 
spade and shovel were applied to the thawed sod. 

The barabara was not completed that day. The 
night was spent aboard the steamer, and next 
morning the crude carpentry and masonwork ” 
was taken up again. Before evening they had 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 137 

finished a very comfortable though hardly elegant 
structure twelve by twelve feet, with a ceiling 
seven feet high. Jim Long, the tallest of the 
party, stood six feet and three inches in his heavy 
mucklucks, and could barely enter through the 
doorway erect without touching his Rodel cap to 
the lintel. 

The third night at this place was passed aboard 
the schooner and then the work of transferring 
their supplies was begun. Several trips were 
necessary, and by the time the task was finished, 
most of the third day was spent. 

The fourth night was passed in the barabara. 
Captain Fedor and his schooner were dismissed 
for the time being. He was instructed to return 
in two weeks for a possible change in the plans of 
the hunters. If at the end of a fortnight this 
locality were found to afford poor bear hunting, 
they probably would decide to move to other 
grounds. 

It may be possible that Keeler spoke the 
truth when he said Old Midwit had either killed 
or driven away from here all the other bears ex- 
cept his mate,’’ suggested Mr. Nelson. 

You can bet your bottom dollar he didn’t,” 


138 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

declared Jim. Any man that tells me such a 
story as that goes down in my little book for a liar. 
Bears ain’t in the habit o’ behavin’ that way. 
We’re about as likely to find three or four bears 
around here as one or two.” 

We haven’t seen anything of Keeler and the 
Englishmen yet,” observed Ralph. You know 
they left Kaguiac before we did, and we haven’t 
passed them anywhere. ’ ’ 

Oh, they sailed day an’ night,” explained 
Jim. An’ besides, their boat could make three 
knots to our two.” 

But they had a good many stops to make 
along the shore,” replied Ralph. It seems to 
me we ought to have reached this place about the 
same time^ or at least we ought to have arrived 
before their schooner left.” 

But we didn’t,” said Jim significantly. 

No, and doesn’t that make it look as if they 
weren’t bound for this place? Maybe Keeler told 
the truth.” 

That ain’t possible,” persisted Jim. ‘‘ He 
couldn’t tell the truth unless he made a mistake 
an’ thought it was a lie.” 

Oh, you’re too hard on Keeler, Jim,” laughed 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 139 

Mr. Nelson. ‘‘ Everybody tells the truth once in 
a while. 

Not Keeler,” said Long grimly. 

Six men and a dog were a large “ family ” for 
a house of one room twelve by twelve feet, but 
all adapted themselves cheerfully to the circum- 
stances. Even Dane, the habitually taciturn half- 
breed, talked a good deal, while Ignati was the 
life of the party. Ignati had learned considerable 
English and was very proud of his accomplish- 
ment. His broken speech delighted the boys, 
coming as it did with all sorts of comical ideas. 

Tchort enjoyed himself by sleeping most of the 
time. He was not, however, fond of the fire that 
was kept blazing in the earthen fireplace in a 
comer of the room, and would seek a spot as re- 
mote as possible from the burning cottonwood. 
In the morning when the party left the barabara 
to scour the country for bear tracks, he was a 
lively animal, and frisked about like a puppy. 

There was no window in the house, the only 
openings being the door and the hole in the roof 
for the escape of the smoke. As the door was not 
air-tight, there was no lack of ventilation. 

It was now the middle of May, and the indica- 


140 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


tions were that there would be little more severely 
cold weather. Jim expressed the hope that the 
snow would soon disappear from the ground and 
that all the bears in the vicinity would be out of 
their caves most of the time. 

On the fourth morning after their arrival at 
this place, the hunters were out bright and early 
with little but bear hunting on their minds. Mr. 
Nelson and Jim each had a pair of good field 
glasses, and Ealph and Archie each had a camera. 
One of the first acts of the boys was to take sev- 
eral pictures of the barabara and its immediate 
surroundings. The cabin was in a picturesque 
place. The grove of cottonwood was less than a 
hundred yards from the stream. A gently slop- 
ing hill arose on either side, and another and 
larger one half a mile hack. The river was nar- 
row and ran between high and low banks perpen- 
dicular walls and cliffs. Near the barabara, there 
was a low beach that afforded an excellent landing 
place. 

Before going far from the camp, the hunters 
examined the hills and mountains with their field 
glasses, but no bear tracks were seen in the snow. 
Ealph and Archie were disappointed at this fail- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 141 


ure, but Jim assured them that it was by no 
means an indication that there were no bears in 
the vicinity. 

This part of the island was almost barren of 
trees. A few acres of spruce and cottonwood 
were observed here and there, but that was all. 
The only other vegetation of importance con- 
sisted of various kinds of shrubbery standing 
naked in the snow on the mountains or half buried 
in the hollows. 

The hunters now decided that the best move for 
them to make next was to explore the river to its 
source, or as far as they could go in their bai- 
darkas. So they carried their canoes to the 
water, loaded them with provisions enough for 
two days, and started. Dane was left behind to 
keep watch over the barabara and the supplies. 
Mr. Nelson doubted the necessity of this, but Jim 
insisted. 

‘‘ If you’ll take my advice, you’ll keep watch 
over everything you ’ve got in this country, ’ ’ said 
the tall hunter, with a wise look. 

<< Why, I haven’t seen anything that would be 
likely to do anybody any harm,” replied Mr. Nel- 
son. Are you afraid a bear may come along 


142 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

and butt our house over and eat our canned 
goods? 

‘‘ That might happen/^ smiled Jim; but I 
wasnT thinkin’ o’ bears. I was thinkin’ o’ two- 
legged animals.” 

Men? ” 

‘‘ Yep.” 

‘‘ Are there many around here? I haven’t seen 
the sign of a native except our own. ’ ’ 

I didn’t say natives, did I? ” retorted Jim. 

“ That makes it harder for me to guess,” 
frowned Mr. Nelson. I give it up. What do 
you mean? ” 

Nothing, only there’s white men on this island 
sometimes who get worse ’n Aleuts ever dared to 
get, an’ you can’t tell when they’ll sneak up while 
you’re off your guard, an’ steal everything you’ve 
got. I’ve had my experience with ’em.” 

“ Have you any reason for believing there are 
any such fellows around here now? ” inquired 
Ralph. 

“ Yep.” 

‘ ‘ Have you seen any signs of ’em ? ’ ’ 

Nope.” 

This was about all they could get out of Jim on 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 143 

the subject. For some temperamental reason he 
seemed willing only to give strong hints and 
equally strong advice to maintain a constant out- 
look for enemies. Before they started upstream, 
Ralph and Archie had an opportunity to ex- 
change a few words on the mystery. 

‘‘ I wonder if Mr. Long is superstitious,’^ said 
Archie. ‘‘ You wouldn’t think he was, after hear- 
ing the way he laughed at the astronoms. 

“ No, I don’t believe it’s superstition with 
him,” Ralph replied. He really thinks there 
are some had men around here, hut what I don’t 
understand is why he don’t come out with it and 
be plain.” 

He could be plainer ’n he’s been, I should 
think, ’ ’ said Archie. ‘ ‘ It looks to me as if we can 
expect adventures around here, and not all of ’em 
bear hunting either.” 

I think you’re right, Archie. Jim usually 
knows what he’s talking about. I’m afraid it’s 
liable to be pretty serious, too, if it comes.” 

What makes you think that? ” 

‘‘ ’Cause Mr. Long’s so mysterious about it.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


A TRAIL IN THE SNOW 

The trip up the river was exceedingly interest- 
ing. Kadiak Island is a beautiful place in sum- 
mer, and naturally suggestions of these beauties 
must be obvious in middle May. The day was 
clear and bright. The sun shone down so warmly 
that the hunters wished they could divest them- 
selves of some of their heavy clothing and put on 
lighter. But they knew this would not be condu- 
cive to good health in a country and season where 
the temperature might be expected to drop 
twenty, thirty, or even forty degrees on short no- 
tice. However, the paddling made them so warm 
that in a short time after starting they were glad 
to dotf their heavy coats. 

Jim, Mr. Nelson and Tchort occupied one of 
the canoes, and Ralph, Archie and Ignati occu- 
pied the other. This division was made in order 
to equalize as nearly as possible the rowing 
forces. But Ralph and Archie were muscular 
young fellows, and the occupants of the other 
144 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 145 

canoe found they had all they could do to keep up 
with the two hoys and the half-breed. 

The river was neither wide nor deep, hut there 
were few rapids or shallow places, and the hunt- 
ers were able to make good progress. The stream 
wound around among the hills so that the canoes 
were forced to travel almost twice the distance 
they would have gone in a direct course. The 
nearest mountains were several miles distant. 

After they had gone upstream a mile and a 
half, the hunters landed and climbed to the top of 
a bluff, from which they swept the country with 
their field glasses for bear tracks. Ealph and 
Archie were eager for immediate results. They 
watched their leader expectantly as he examined 
the snow slopes, hoping that at any moment he 
would announce a discovery of signs of game. 

Jim Long had one of the pairs of glasses and 
Mr. Nelson had the other. At last Ealph 's father 
lowered his binoculars, indicating by his manner 
that his search had been unsuccessful. 

Did you see anything? ” inquired Ealph; but 
the question was needless. 

Nothing but a lot of interesting country,’’ re- 
plied Mr. Nelson. 


146 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


Let me look/^ 

Ealph^s father gave him the glasses, and the boy 
began an eager search over mountains, hills and 
lowlands. The hill on which they stood afforded 
them an excellent view. To the southeast arose a 
chain of mountains several thousand feet high. 
To the north and west was the sea, from which a 
narrow strip of water, or fjord, extended two 
miles or more inland. 

That’s the way this island is built,” said Jim, 
calling attention to the finger-like bay. ‘‘ The 
coast is all cut up like that. ’ ’ 

I was noticing something of the kind on the 
way around from Kadiak,” replied Archie. 

‘‘ Isn’t there a path leading from the mountain 
there over that hill and toward the bay? ” asked 
Ealph, indicating with his hand the place he 
wished to call attention to. 

I was just lookin’ at that,” replied Jim. ‘‘ It 
does look like a path in the snow. An’ it seems to 
lead right up to the foot o’ the mountain too.” 

Do you think it’s a bear path? ” asked 
Archie, eagerly. 

Can’t tell from this distance. But if I was to 
make a guess, I’d say yes.” 


Th^ King Bear of Kadiak Island 147 

“ Maybe it^s Old Midwit’s path,” suggested 
Ralph. 

“ Mebbe it is,” replied Jim. 

‘ ‘ When you thought you came near seeing him, 
he was over this way, you said,” reminded Mr. 
Nelson. ^‘He must have changed his route.” 

“ Oh, they wander all over,” replied Jim. 

They don’t take the same path every time, un- 
less it’s the only good way.” 

‘ ‘ But this path looks as if it had been traveled 
over, back and forth, a good many times,” said 
Ralph as he examined it carefully with the 
glasses. 

You can’t tell anything about that from 
here,” declared Jim. If the ole feller an’ his 
mate traveled back an’ forth once on that path, it 
would be just as plain from here as if they’d went 
over it a hundred times. ’ ’ 

‘‘ What’ll we do? ” asked Archie. 

Nothin’, except go on as we started,” replied 
Long. We can’t get over there from here very 
well; there’s too many steep climbs. The best 
way to make it is around by water. ’ ’ 

‘‘It’s four or five miles from the mouth of the 


148 The Boys* Big Game Series 

river to the mouth of the bay, isn’t itt ” observed 
Mr. Nelson. 

Yes,” answered Jim. 

‘‘ We’ll paddle around there after we get back. 
We’ll go up to the head of the bay, and see what 
we can find. ’ ’ 

“ Let’s go on and finish this trip as soon as we 
can,” proposed Ealph. ‘‘ If we hurry, we may be 
able to see everything we want to, and get back 
to-night. ’ ’ 

There was common assent to this proposal and 
the explorers descended from the bluff and re- 
entered their baidarkas. Their path from the top 
of the hill to the river bank had been of a round- 
about nature, so that from the beginning, almost 
to the end of the descent, the observation point 
was hidden from view. But just as Ralph was 
about to dip his paddle into the water, he glanced 
up toward the bluff and beheld the sight that sent 
his sportsman blood rushing through his veins. 

Look! ” he exclaimed, pointing in the direc- 
tion of his gaze. 

Archie looked. The occupants of the other bai- 
darka were already looking. Then an exclama- 
tion of disappointment came from Jim as the ob- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 149 

ject of interest arose from the rocky point and 
flew away. 

It was a large bald-headed eagle. Ralph had 
seen him perched on the bluff fifty yards away, 
and in his excitement forgot the necessity of ex- 
treme quiet. They were partly concealed by a 
thick growth of bushes near the bank, and doubt- 
less the big bird had not seen them until his atten- 
tion was called by Ralph’s exclamation and mo- 
tion. 

There you’ve done it,” said Jim impatiently, 
as he threw down the bow he had stealthily picked 
up. *• ‘ I thought you was a better hunter ’n that. ’ ’ 
Ralph was much chagrined. By this thought- 
lessness he had prevented Long from getting an 
excellent specimen. 

I didn’t speak very loud, did I? ” he asked 
confusedly. 

No, you didn’t,” admitted Jim; but the 
wind was bio win’ toward him. Mebbe he didn’t 
hear you, though — only saw you through the 
bushes when you got excited.” 

I could kick myself good and hard for doing 
such a crazy thing,” said the disgusted boy, as 
they continued their way upstream. 


150 The Boys* Big Game Series 

This was not the first eagle they had seen. 
There were many bald heads on Kadiak, but none 
of them had approached so near to the hunters as 
this one. They were frequently to be seen fiying 
through the air or perched on distant high places. 
Another bird, even more numerous on Kadiak, 
was the magpie, that black-and-white friend and 
enemy of the eagle. Now he darts almost into the 
talons of the big bird and snatches away his food ; 
now he warns Mr. Bald Head of the approach of 
danger by chattering and making a great fuss. 

In this instance, however, no magpie was pres- 
ent and the eagle ’s escape was to be attributed to 
his own perception. 

An hour later they stopped and ate lunch, and 
then continued until three thirty o^clock, when 
they found the stream so shallow that further 
progress could not be made. 

I guess we^d just as well go back now,’^ said 
Jim. We can go a good deal faster 'n we came, 
but itdl be after dark when we reach our bara- 
bara.’^ 

The canoes were accordingly turned about and 
the journey back to the base of supplies was be- 
gun. Little happened of particular interest, and 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 151 

they arrived with big appetites and tired arms 
and legs. Mr. Nelson and the boys had a good 
deal of difficulty in becoming accustomed to the 
kneeling position in the hatches of the baidarkas. 

They found Dane asleep in the cabin. Tchort 
ran up to him, thrust his nose in his face and 
woke him up. Meanwhile, Mr. Nelson lighted a 
candle. 

‘‘ Hello, Dane. Here we are back again, was 
Jim’s greeting. 

Presumably, Dane understood this much Eng- 
lish. He gave a supposedly intelligent grunt in 
reply and arose to his feet. 

‘‘ How-de-do? ” continued Jim. ‘‘ What’s the 
matter? Can’t you say hello to your friends 
after we’ve been gone all day. It’s gettin’ cold. 
What did you let the fire go out for? ” 

Little of this being understood by Dane, he 
gazed blankly at the returned hunters. Jim, half 
jocosely, went on with his harangue in English: 

I think you’re drunk, Dane. Where did you 
get the booze? I thought you was learnin’ to talk 
United States from the boys like Ignati. What’s 
happened to-day? ” 


152 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

Dane seemed to comprehend this last question, 
for he offered a reply. 

“ White man come,^^ he said. 

Yes,’’ replied Jim; of course we’ve come. 
We told you we’d come back when we went away, 
but we didn’t know we’d come back to-night.” 

Nish/^ sputtered Dane, gesticulating impa- 
tiently. ‘‘ More white man come.” Then, dis- 
gusted with his inability to express himself 
clearly in English, he let loose a rapid flow of 
Eussian that put Jim in an attitude of attention 
instantly. Mr. Nelson, Ealph and Archie could 
see readily that the Aleut had some news to tell. 

Jim put several questions to the half-breed, 
who answered them rapidly. Then, apparently 
satisfied with the result, the guide turned to his 
fellow hunters, and said : 

Well, I was right, in a hurry.” 

What were you right about? ” asked Mr. 
Nelson. 

About keepin’ watch an’ lookin’ out for bad 
men. ’ ’ 

Did anybody try to do mischief while we 
were gone? ” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 153 

‘‘ No, but they might if we hadn^t left a watch- 
man.’^ 

How many were there? ” 

“ Three white men and a half-breed.” 

“ What did they do? ” asked Ralph. 

Nothin’ much. They come up the river in 
baidarkas, an’ stopped here. One of the white 
men could speak Russian, an’ he questioned Dane. 
He found out all Dane knew about us, an’ talked 
a while with his friends, an’ then they all got in 
their canoes an’ went back.” 

‘‘ What did they say? How did they act before 
they left? ” inquired Mr. Nelson. 

‘‘ I’ll find out,” said Jim, and he turned to 
Dane with a question in Russian. 

The reply caused all of the white hunters to 
laugh uproariously. The creole’s answer was a 
repetition of several profane words used by the 
white man who had interviewed him. He did not 
know the meaning of the words he repeated, and 
he uttered them with such a comical accent in his 
innocence that even the most seriously minded 
person must have been greatly amused. Evi- 
dently the profanity had been used with such em- 


154 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


phasis as to make a deep impression on the na- 
tive’s mind. 

That shows he was mad at something,” said 
Mr. Nelson. ‘‘ I wonder who he could have been 
and what he wanted.” 

Can’t you guess? ” asked Jim, with a sug- 
gestive grin. 

“ You mean — ” 

Of course. I thought you’d guess it long ago. 
You ought to have knowed what I meant when I 
said we ought to have a guard here.” 

But you surely don’t think the two English- 
men would turn outlaws.” 

“ No, but Scott Keeler would.” 


CHAPTEE XV 


THE FIEST BEAK 

I admit I never thonglit of Keeler when you 
gave your warning, Jim,’’ said Mr. Nelson, as he 
began to build a fire. And if I’d thought of 
him, I’d have dismissed the idea right away.” 

<< Why? ” asked Jim. 

I’d have told myself that you’d ’a’ said 
Keeler if you meant him. Why didn’t you say 
what you meant? ” 

“ ’Cause you’d laughed at me if I had; you 
never would take serious what I said about him. ’ ’ 

I can’t just see why we should be so terribly 
afraid of him. Why should he go to a lot of 
trouble to do us any harm? ” 

‘‘ ’Cause he hates me. He knows I suspicion 
him o’ somethin’. He didn’t come back here just 
to hunt Kadiak bear. He’s a rascal an’ a sport, 
but he ain’t no sportsman.” 

I can’t understand what you’re driving at,” 
said Mr. Nelson, shaking his head. You talk so 
vaguely that I get more puzzled every time you 
155 


156 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

say anything about Keeler. I wish you would 
come out plain an’ say what you mean.” 

I can’t come out any plainer,” replied Jim 
earnestly. ‘‘ The trouble is I don’t know exactly 
what I think, an’ I think a whole lot. But if 
you’d had the experience with Keeler that I’ve 
had you’d think just as much, an’ know just as 
little.” 

Then let’s drop him for the time being. But 
we’ll leave some one here to keep watch when- 
ever we go away.” 

A fire was soon blazing cheerily and prepara- 
tions for supper began. Most of their foods were 
canned, preserved or in extract form. They had 
canned beans, beef extract, canned salmon, con- 
densed food tablets, several smoked hams, hard- 
tack, bacon, condensed milk, tea, coffee, sugar, 
salt and pepper. 

“ We’ll have to get out an’ shoot some fresh 
meat,” suggested Jim as the preparations ad- 
vanced. A few mallards ’d be fine eatin’ right 
now. ’ ’ 

In a short time the rude table was loaded with 
steaming dishes and cups. All sat around on 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 157 

camp stools, and the food disappeared rapidly 
with little regard for etiquette. 

After supper the hunters sat around the fire- 
place and told stories. Scott Keeler was not re- 
ferred to again that evening, and Mr. Nelson, 
Ealph and Archie hoped heartily that there would 
be no further occasion to refer to him during 
their stay on Kadiak Island. They had begun to 
feel a weird anticipation of something dreadful in 
connection with the man. 

Next morning when they got up it was raining. 
It was one of those heavy rains so characteristic 
of Alaska and the Japan current. The water 
poured down in sheets all day, testing thoroughly 
the sheltering qualities of the barabara. The 
cabin stood the test well. The framework had 
been sodded and thatched so skillfully that hardly 
a drop leaked through. A good deal of water did 
come down the chimney hole, but this was quickly 
evaporated in the fire that was kept blazing con- 
stantly. 

It was a dull day that the hunters spent in the 
barabara. A strong wind blew most of the time, 
so that they were forced to keep the door closed 
to keep the rain from blowing in. Their light, 


158 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

therefore, was chiefly from candles. Jim had a 
deck of cards, and this afforded means for whil- 
ing away much of the time. When their supply 
of fuel was exhausted, they put on their oilskins 
and went out and brought in a new supply of 
dead cottonwood. 

Next morning, the rain showed no indications 
of abatement. The weather continued chilly, and 
it was necessary to keep the fire burning. They 
played cards, talked, ate, slept and groaned at 
their inactivity. Tchort slept most of the time, 
Dane was the second longest sleeper, and the 
others slept as long as they could. Ignati, who 
had picked up enough English to stimulate his 
scholarly pride and ambition, took part eagerly 
in the games and conversation. So quaint were 
his ways and ideas that the bear hunters found 
him a source of much entertainment. 

The third day following their trip up the river 
was not rainy, but the sky was so dark and threat- 
ening that they decided not to venture far from 
their shelter. They tramped about over the 
neighboring country and killed a few rabbits and 
pther small game, keeping a constant lookout for 
signs of bear. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 159 

The fourth day also was threatening and some 
rain fell. At night it became colder and a fierce 
blizzard raged. In the morning the ground was 
covered with two feet of snow, and a heavy sleet 
was falling. 

In this manner the hunters were forced to re- 
main in or near their barabara for ten days. The 
last day of the period was warm, and a torrent of 
rain fell. The eleventh morning dawned bright 
and with promise of rising temperature. The 
river was swollen to three times its natural size, 
overflowing its banks and rushing along with 
much stronger current. 

It needed no field glasses to enable the hunters 
to determine the effect of the heavy rain on the 
country. All of the snow on the lower hills had 
disappeared, while the white-line on the moun- 
tains had been moved several hundred feet up. 
Nevertheless, the glasses were brought into play, 
and the examination in all directions was thor- 
ough. 

‘ ‘ That bear path we saw over to the northeast 
is washed into the sea,’’ said Ealph in tones of 
regret. I suppose it’ll be no use to go over 
there now.” 


160 The Boys* Big Game Series 

Don’t you go to losin’ hope so quick,” advised 
Jim, who had his glasses to his eyes and was 
gazing off towards the mountains. ‘ ^ If that was 
a bear path, I know about where it was, an’ there 
may be some trace of it left up on the mountain 
where there’s snow yet. We’ll go over there to- 
day an’ find out.’’ 

How long’ll we stay I ” inquired Archie. 

As long as we need to. We’ll take a good 
supply o’ eatin’ along, an’ make a shelter out of 
our haidarkas, an’ stay several days, if it looks 
worth while.” 

After breakfast preparations for the trip were 
rushed as rapidly as possible, and at ten o’clock 
they were ready to start. Dane was left in charge 
of the barahara again. In order to stimulate 
watchfulness on his part, Jim told him of his 
fears regarding Keeler, and gave him a supply 
of matches and half a pound of smoking tobacco. 
This pleased the half-breed immensely, and, with 
pleasant weather promising, there was no doubt 
that he would have the time of his life. As the 
two haidarkas started downstream, Dane was left 
seated on a block of cottonwood in front of the 
barahara and pulling away at his pipe as if all of 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 161 


earth’s pleasure and happiness were contained in 
that stem and howl. 

The strength of the river’s current was not ap- 
parent from the bank, as the hunters discovered 
when they got into midstream. If the canoes had 
been occupied by inexperienced persons they 
might have been overturned. But the haidarka 
is a seaworthy craft, and it is surprising what 
rough water it will weather when handled skill- 
fully. 

The hunters were swept rapidly down the river 
to the sea, the paddles being used little except for 
guiding the canoes. After they reached the open 
water, however, their work began, and the paddles 
were plied vigorously. 

The distance to the place they were headed for 
was about seven miles. This was covered in two 
hours, the latter two miles being up the narrow 
bay or fjord they had observed on their trip up 
the river. Where they should land was now 
largely a matter of conjecture. All the snow had 
disappeared except high up on the mountains, 
and no vestige of the supposed bear path was dis- 
coverable. They passed the mouth of a small 


162 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

river that flows into the bay, but it seemed doubt- 
ful if it would float their canoe very far up. 

At last they selected a good landing place near 
the head of the bay. The baidarkas were beached 
and the hunters went inland through a ravine 
somewhat like the one in which they had built 
their barabara. Before they had gone far, how- 
ever, Jim Long called a halt and said : 

‘‘ I don’t like the idea o’ leavin’ the canoes 
without some one to watch ’em. I think we ’d bet- 
ter leave Ignati on guard. ’ ’ 

How far do we go? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

Mebbe not more’n a mile or two this after- 
noon. We want to get back in time to fix up our 
camp for the night. ’ ’ 

You’re wise, Jim, in always being on the safe 
side,” was Mr. Nelson’s comment. We’ll leave 
Ignati with the baidarkas.” 

The native was accordingly instructed to return 
to the landing place and keep watch over the bai- 
darkas and the supplies. The hunters then con- 
tinued toward the mountains. They found the 
walking fairly good for a mile or more. The 
ravine was half a mile long. At the end they 
ascended a hill and over into another hollow and 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 163 

then up another hill, more steep and difficult to 
climb. On top of this they stopped to examine 
the mountains ahead with their glasses. 

Tchort had run on into a clump of spruce on the 
side of the next hill a few hundred yards ahead. 
It was a thick grove covering both sides of the 
hill, and the dog was hidden from view in it. No 
trace of the supposed bear path was discovered 
with the glasses, and Jim said: 

‘‘ If that was a bear path, it’s clean gone now, 
an’ the beast hasn’t made another since. There 
ain’t much use of our goin’ any further to-day, 
’cause we’ve settled the bear path question, an’ 
that’s what we wanted to do. To-morrow we’ll 
forget the path an’ look for bears. Hello, what’s 
that? ” 

A sudden excited barking from Tchort among 
the spruce trees gave every one of the hunters a 
thrill of expectancy. 

‘‘ There’s somethin’ over there, sure as 
shootin’,” declared Jim. ‘‘Let’s go over an’ 
find out what it is. ’ ’ 

They started on a run, each of the hunters 
drawing an arrow from his quiver and nocking 


164 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

it. At the top of the wooded hill, they got a view 
of the cause of the excitement. 

It was a bear sure enough — not as large a 
beast as Ealph and Archie could have wished to 
find, but nevertheless a bear. He was moving 
slowly away from the hunters and paying only 
enough attention to Tchort to prevent him from 
becoming too rash. The dog was dancing around 
as close to his enemy as he dared. As the hunters 
caught sight of the coveted game, they quickened 
their pace. 

Fortunately, the wind was blowing toward the 
hunters and from the bear. It was not a heavy 
wind, but was sufficient to prevent a scent of them 
from reaching the game, and as they emerged 
from the wood they found themselves near 
enough to venture a shot. 

Four arrows flew almost at once toward bruin, 
and every one of them took effect. It was the 
first intimation the beast had that enemies other 
than Tchort were near. 

• All of the arrows, except one, stuck in his hind 
quarters. The one shot by Jim sank several 
inches behind the right shoulder. That the bear 
was in great pain was evident. He had hitherto 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 165 

been moving directly away from the hunters, half 
playfully, half curiously, following the dog that 
kept just out of his way. He was a full-grown 
bear, but not an old one, and seemed disposed 
not to become angry at Tchort’s attentions. 

But the pain inflicted by the arrows threw him 
into a rage, and he turned and charged toward 
his assailants. The latter stood with nocked ar- 
rows, awaiting an opportunity for a death shot. 

‘‘ You boys shoot first, said Jim, Try for 
his neck, deep into his throat. Steady now; keep 
cool.’^ 

There was need for this advice. Ealph and 
Archie had had experience in hunting big game 
before, but unfortunately this was the first time 
they had faced a large and ferocious beast with 
only bows and arrows for defense. In spite of 
the wonderful skill they had seen exhibited by 
Jim Long on several occasions, they could not 
get over their natural prejudice against such 
seemingly primitive weapons. 

They had themselves acquired much skill with 
the short bow, and had witnesssed several in- 
stances of its deadly effect. But it is hard for 
one to have the highest respect for this weapon 


166 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

after having been accustomed to the fatal bore 
of a forty-four Winchester or Eemington. 

The instant Ralph lifted his bow to shoot he 
knew that he was nervous. Archie had a similar 
experience, but they both set their teeth with a 
determination to do their best. Nerves, however, 
are very unmanageable sometimes. 

The arrows flew. Ralph’s struck bruin in the 
left shoulder, and stuck there. Archie’s hit the 
bear on the forehead, and glanced off. 

These wounds seemed hardly to affect the beast 
unless they made him angrier. He rushed on at 
full speed, and Mr. Nelson, seeing instantly the 
ineffectiveness of the boys’ shots, sent an arrow 
into the bear’s neck where Jim had instructed 
Ralph and Archie to plant theirs. Still this did 
not halt him, nor did the fact that Tchort was 
snapping wickedly at his hind legs. The canine 
got a bulldog hold on one leg, but still the power- 
ful beast came on, dragging Tchort after him. 

When he was only flve yards away, Jim took 
his turn at the moving target. None of the other 
hunters were watching him; their attention was 
on the savage animal. They realized the necessity 
of keeping out of his way and of watching for an 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 167 

opportunity to shoot again. Jim’s arrow flew 
and hit the mark. It was the bear’s left eye. 

Bruin fell in his tracks. The arrow had entered 
his brain. Ealph gave a cheer that could hardly 
have been more joyous if his own arrow had been 
the fatal one. They gathered around the fallen 
beast, while Tchort put his nose to the carcass to 
find out if life was really extinct. 

‘‘ Well, we all had a hand in it, anyway,” 
chuckled Archie, as he counted the arrows stick- 
ing in the body. ‘ ‘ Seven of ’em, ’ ’ he announced. 

“I’m afraid ours didn’t have much to do with 
dropping him, ’ ’ said Ealph. “ We lost our nerve. 
Arch. We ought to have done better ’n that.” 

“ Yes, we ought,” admitted Archie. “ That 
was a crazy place for me to hit a bear — right on 
his steel-plate forehead.” 

“ It’s gettin’ late,” observed Jim. “ Time for 
us to be hustlin’ back. Let’s get to work an’ 
skin this feller as quick as we can. We’ve got a 
sleepin’ place to fix up to-night.” 

Jim was an adept at skinning game. The 
others gave him all the assistance possible, and 
in a remarkably short time the hide and head 
were free from the body. Then several choice 


168 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


steaks were cut from the carcass and wrapped up 
in the skin, and the hunters set out on their re- 
turn, Jim Long and Mr. Nelson relie\Tng each 
other with the load from time to time. 


CHAPTER XVI 


^ ^ A GREAT BIG BEAR ’ ^ 

It was nearly dark when they got back to Ig- 
nati and the baidarkas. The native had proved 
himself an exceptionally intelligent half-breed 
during their absence. Understanding their in- 
tention to remain there overnight, he had fished 
a spade and shovel out of one of the baidarkas 
and proceeded to dig a cave in the side of a bluff 
near the shore of the bay. So diligently had he 
worked that on their return the hunters found an 
earth-room large enough for comfortable sleeping 
quarters. The earth taken from the excavation, 
Ignati had piled up on either side of the entrance, 
forming a good protection from the wind. 

That’s good work,” declared Jim. ‘‘ Ignati, 
you’re a trump. We’ll just lay one of the canoes 
over those dirt piles an’ build a fire in front, an’ 
sleep like we did in the Kadiak hotel.” 

The sun was setting and they finished the work 
in the twilight. There was no spruce or cotton- 
169 


170 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


wood growing in the neighborhood, but there was 
a thick growth of alder bushes a little farther up 
the shore, and they cut a large enough supply to 
keep a fire burning all night. They had blankets 
in abundance, some of which were used to calk 
the gap between the canoe-roof of the entrance 
and the face of the bluff. A large soup pan was 
suspended over the fire to prevent the heat from 
injuring the baidarka overhead. 

The fire was very comfortable in the cool of 
the evening, and the hunters sat around and 
talked for an hour or two. Every detail of the 
afternoon’s experience was gone over, and Jim 
had several good laughs over the nervousness of 
Ealph and Archie when they were offered the 
opportunity of their lives.” 

Next morning, they measured the bearskin and 
put it in a condition of temporary preservation. 
This was done with a solution of arsenic and salt- 
petre. The measurement of the skin proved that 
they had killed a really big bear. It was six feet, 
eleven inches long from nose to root of tail. Jim 
estimated that the beast must have weighed seven 
hundred pounds. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 171 

“ This proves one thing/ ^ observed Mr. Nel- 
son, as the hide was stored away in the cave. 
What’s that? ” asked Jim. 

Scott Keeler either lied or was mistaken 
when he said Old Midwit had killed or driven away 
every other hear in this neighborhood. ’ ’ 

Yes,” agreed Jim, “ if the big feller’s 
around here, he ain’t been havin’ everything to 
hisself.” 

‘‘Maybe it was Midwit’s son we killed — I 
mean you killed,” suggested Ealph. 

“ I’ve been thinkin’ o’ that,” said Jim. 

The morning was dark and threatening and it 
was decided not to go far from camp that day. 
The party confined its hunting to the neighboring 
hills, shooting smaller game, and a dozen snow- 
shoe rabbits were bagged. This animal is about 
the size of the jack rabbit of the States. The 
country was alive with them, and the only reason 
more were not killed was because the hunters de- 
cided to shoot only as many as they could eat from 
day to day. Tchort was particularly fond of 
them, and ate more than his share. 

It did not rain until night, and the hunters 
traveled over much of the neighborhood in the 


172 The Boys' Big Game Series 

course of the day. Occasionally they became 
separated and hunted singly or in pairs, Ralph 
and Archie being often alone together. This was 
especially true in the afternoon, when the boys 
walked all around the head of the bay, shooting 
several rabbits, and getting a tempting view of 
several mountain sheep in the distance. 

In the middle of the afternoon, as the clouds 
became more threatening, they decided to return 
to camp. They were nearly a mile beyond the 
bay, and as they retraced their steps, they headed 
toward the water. Near the shore their view of 
the beach was shut off by a heavy growth of alder 
bushes. Suddenly, as they were passing this 
place, Ralph seized his cousin by the arm and 
gave a low ‘‘ Sh! 

The warning was unnecessary. Archie also 
had heard the splashing sound that indicated some 
animal was having a lively time in the water just 
beyond the bushes. 

“ Get ready for a shot,’’ whispered Ralph. 

We’ll steal around and let fly if it’s anything 
we want.” 

“ Maybe it’s a bear,” suggested Archie. 

“ If it is ” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 173 

Ralph did not finish the sentence. He could not 
say at the moment if he would dare venture an 
encounter with a Kadiak bear with only bows and 
arrows as weapons of defense. 

Near the end of the growth of bushes they 
stopped and peered through. The sight that met 
their gaze almost! took their breath away. Three 
fine sea otters were sporting in the shallow water 
close to the shore. 

Here was the opportunity for which they were 
hungering. Sister, mother, cousin, aunt, otter- 
skin coats, the fulfillment of boyish promises — 
these were the thoughts that flashed through 
their minds and made them determined to do their 
best. Fortunately, just beyond the patch of 
bushes was a large boulder behind which they 
could conceal themselves. The sporting am- 
phibians were eight or ten yards from the rock. 

The boys stealthily got into position behind the 
boulder, and peeped over the top. One of the 
otters had disappeared, and the other two had 
climbed on top of a rock partly submerged in the 
water. 

‘ ^ Now, quick and sure ! ’ ’ whispered Ralph. 


174 The Boys' Big Game Series 

You take the one on the right, and 1^11 take the 
one on the left . ' ' 

The two arrows dew, but before they left the 
bows, a change had taken place on the rock. The 
otter that Ealph had chosen suddenly arose and 
threw his body playfully across that of the other. 
Archie’s arrow struck the under animal back of 
the head and probably killed him almost instantly. 
Ralph struck the top one in the loin, piercing clear 
through the hanging flesh and sinking deep into 
the body of the other. 

A terrible struggle followed, both animals roll- 
ing off into the water. Without an instant’s de- 
lay, the boys drew new arrows and let them fly at 
the writhing forms. One of them seemed to take 
effect, and the young hunters rushed down to the 
water’s edge, prepared to let drive more arrows 
if needed. But their work was well done, for the 
struggles were becoming rapidly weaker and 
weaker, and they waded out and drew their game 
ashore. 

The boys were surprised to find that they had 
both been successful. They had supposed that 
one of the otters was severely injured and that the 
other had swum away. They were still further 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 175 

astonished to find them pinned together by 
Ralph ^s first arrow. Each boy had marked his 
own shafts so that there might be no confusion of 
honors when both shot at one animal. Ralph’s 
first arrow had strong prominent barbs, which 
had been a powerful factor in holding the two 
animals pinned together. When he shot, he 
pulled with all his strength on the string, deter- 
mined that his effort should not lack effectiveness 
through weakness. He was provoked at his fail- 
ure to hit the prize in a vital spot, but excused this 
failure as a result of his target’s sudden move- 
ment. He was pleased, however, to find that it 
was his second arrow that put an end to the 
other’s struggles. 

The boys’ feet and legs were wet, and it was 
necessary for them to get back to camp as soon 
as .possible. It was less than half a mile to the 
cave, but any distance is a long distance for cold, 
wet feet. They picked up the prizes, and were 
about to start down the bay when their purpose 
was interrupted by a thrilling sight. 

It was the biggest bear either of them had ever 
seen in or out of a menagerie. He came slowly 
around the alder bushes, sniffing the air suspi- 


176 The Boys* Big Game Series 

ciously. As lie saw the boys he stopped. Perhaps 
it would have been hard to say who was the more 
surprised — the bear or the boys. For a few 
moments it seemed that neither wished to make 
the first move. 

What ^11 we do, Ralph! Shoot! ’’ 

Ralph’s voice did not tremble as he asked this 
question. He had no great fear of the bear at 
present. He knew enough of animals of this kind 
to feel safe from attack unless provocation were 
given. 

No,” replied Ralph. It isn’t safe. You 
know what poor shots we made yesterday. We 
must find father and Jim.” 

But it’s getting dark,” reasoned Archie. 
‘ ‘ By the time we find them, the bear ’ll be gone. ’ ’ 
‘‘ Well, we can’t afford to run the risk. If we 
get that fellow mad, we must kill him or get killed. 
If we had rifles I’d say shoot — but not with bows 
and arrows. They ain’t repeaters.” 

<< We’ve got revolvers,” suggested Archie. 

Yes, but they’re for close range, an’ I don’t 
want to get so close.” 

If we walk away, do you suppose he’ll follow 
us!” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 177 

‘ ‘ I wish he would — at a distance. ’ ^ 

Let^s try it.’^ 

The boys were on the point of backing away 
when there was another interruption. It was a 
rifle shot up the shore beyond the bushes. 

The bear was hit. He wheeled around with a 
growl of pain and anger, and Ralph and Archie 
knew at once that the place was dangerous. 

Come, let^s get away from here,’^ said Ralph. 
<< We Ve done well enough for one day. We want 
to save ourselves and what we Ve got. ’ ’ 

Just then, there was a rushing sound, and a 
bullet-shaped body tore past. It was the 
husky ’’ and he was making for the bear. 

‘‘ Tchort, Tchort! ’’ called Ralph, but the dog 
paid no attention. He had been with the boys 
most of the day, when he was not trailing around 
for game. Fortunately, this was what he was 
doing when they discovered the otter. 

The young hunters now started laboriously for 
the camp. The heavens had become blacker 
rapidly, so that it was almost dark by the time 
they arrived. Mr. Nelson was getting supper, 
and Jim and Ignati were bringing in fuel from 
the alder patch. 


178 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


‘‘ Well, I’ll be jiggered! ” exclaimed Jim, drop- 
ping a load and gazing at Ealpb and Archie. 
‘ ‘ Here come the boys with two otters. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Yes, and we’ve seen Old Midwit too,” replied 
Ralph excitedly as he dropped his otter on the 
ground. 

Did you see a bear? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

Yes,” replied Archie; a great big bear. He 
must have been Old Midwit. Didn’t you hear the 
rifle shot? 

‘ ^ Rifle shot ! ’ ’ 

Yes,” declared Ralph. ‘‘ And Tchort is after 
the bear. We tried to call him off, but he wouldn ’t 
mind.” 

Are there some other hunters near here? ” 
inquired Jim. 

Must be,” replied Ralph. Somebody shot 
at the bear.” 

‘‘ How far away was it? ” 

‘‘ Up at the head of the bay.” 

‘‘I’m goin’ to try my luck,” announced Jim. 
“ Who wants to go along? ” 

Everybody wanted to go, including Ignati, who 
had understood most of the conversation. It was 
still an hour before sundown and the clouds were 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 179 

becoming lighter, lessening the darkness a great 
deal. Ealph and Archie even forgot that their 
feet were wet, the run to camp having made them 
warm. 

‘‘ You’ll have to stay here an’ keep a good fire 
burnin’ so we can find our way back if it gets too 
dark,” said Jim, addressing Ignati. Then he re- 
peated the instruction in Eussian, in order that 
there might be no misunderstanding. 

Soon Ignati was alone and the four hunters 
were running up the shore of the bay. They had 
fairly good ground to travel over, and the distance 
was covered rapidly. Arrived at the scene of the 
killing, the boys called a halt. 

‘‘ Here’s where we stood, and the bear was 
right over there,” said Ealph. the shot seemed 
to come from that direction,” pointing to the 
northeast. 

Which way did he go? ” asked Jim. 

‘ ‘ Toward the place where the shot was fired. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Let’s follow it up a ways,” proposed Jim. 

We ought to find his tracks.” 

The ground was soft as a result of recent rains, 
and they had little difficulty in finding the tracks 
of the big beast. As they advanced, Tchort sud- 


180 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

denly bounded into tbeir midst, from where no- 
body knew. He seemed to drop out of the sky. 
Without waiting for any greeting, he bounded 
off again straight ahead, in the direction taken 
by the bear. As he ran, he looked back and 
barked in a manner that evidently had much 
meaning to him. 

“ Tchort wants to tell us somethin V’ said Jim. 
‘ ‘ Come on. Mebbe he knows where the bear is. ’ ’ 

‘‘I wonder what became of the hunters,’’ said 
Ealph. ‘‘ I don’t believe they’ve given up.” 

“We didn’t hear any more shots after the first 
one,” reminded Archie. “ They must have run 
away. ’ ’ 

They followed the “ husky ” over a hill and 
into a ravine beyond. The distance was short, 
and soon they observed that Tchort had stopped 
and was standing over a form lying on the 
ground. Was it the bear! No — the question 
was quickly answered. It was a man. 

They ran to the spot and gazed upon the form 
of a white hunter, lying upon his back, his fur 
cap tipped off his head and his rifle on the ground 
several feet away. His face was pale, seeming 
the more so because of several weeks’ growth of 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 181 


black whiskers. There was something familiar in 
his appearance. 

Why, it’s Eobinson! ” exclaimed Ralph. 
Yes,” said Jim. But where are Burns and 
Keeler? ” 


CHAPTER XVn 


TCHORT ON ARCHIE TRAIL 

Is he dead? 

Ralph asked this question of his father as the 
latter kneeled over the body of Robinson and ex- 
amined it for signs of life. 

‘‘No, he’s warm, ” replied Mr. Nelson. 
“ We’ll have to get him back to camp as soon as 
possible. Boys, you run back as fast as you can 
and fetch a blanket and some big safety pins an’ 
a couple good strong poles from the firewood. 
We’ll have to have a litter. He may have some 
bones broken, and we want to be careful how we 
handle him. Don’t get lost.” 

“ We won’t,” assured Archie, as they started 
away on a run. “ We can see the camp fire.” 

They reached the cave in ten minutes, offered 
a few words of explanation to Ignati and dived 
here and there after the needed articles. 

“You get the poles and I’ll get the blankets 
and pins,” said Ralph to Archie. Then he ran 
into the cave, lit a candle, fished out a paper of 
182 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 183 


safety pins from the well-stocked bachelor’s 
repair-box, snatched np a blanket and ran out 
again. 

Have you got the poles yet? ” he called to 
Archie. 

I guess so,” replied the latter. 

Come on, then.” 

Ealph dashed off, expecting his cousin to follow 
immediately. But the latter was not quite satis- 
fied with the poles Jbe had selected. They seemed 
rather weak. He jerked several more from the 
pile of fuel, decided that they were no better and 
started off with the ones he had first selected. 

By this time Ealph was two hundred yards 
away. He did not look around to see if Archie 
was following, presuming, of course, that he was. 
Ealph was a better sprinter than his cousin and 
had no reason to be surprised that the latter 
did not overtake him. 

A short distance from the place where he left 
his father and Jim with the injured Englishman, 
he met them walking toward the camp. Eobinson 
was being half supported by Mr. Nelson and 
Long. 

“We don’t need the litter, Ealph,” announced 


184 The Boys* Big Game Series 

Jim. No bones broken. Just a slap with the 
beards paw. His head hit the ground too hard.^^ 

‘‘ Where’s Archie? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

< < Why, where is he ? ” exclaimed Ealph, looking 
around half alarmed. ‘‘ I thought he was just 
behind me.” 

“ Didn’t you leave the camp together! ” 

Yes — or he left just after me, I thought. I 
called to him, an’ he said he was ready.” 

Oh, he’ll be coming along pretty soon,” as- 
sured Mr. Nelson. He probably was delayed 
for some reason.” 

But Archie did not come along.” All the 
way to the camp, Ealph kept a sharp lookout for 
his cousin, but he did not appear. They called his 
name loudly, but he did not answer. What could 
have become of him? Had he suddenly become 
ill and remained at the cave ? 

This seemed the only solution of the mystery, 
and yet Ealph had a presentiment that it would 
not prove the true one. Archie had never been 
ill. He was a healthy boy, used to outdoor life 
and exposure. It was nonsense to suppose that 
he could feel severe effects of wet feet in an hour. 
And what else could have caused him to be sick? 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 185 

They reached the camp. Only Ignati was there. 
It was dark, and the fire was burning brightly. 
Ignati sat on a rock by the fire and watched them 
as they approached. 

Where’s Archie? ” tremblingly asked Ealph. 

‘‘No know,” replied Ignati. “ He run after 
you. No come back.” 

Ealph almost sank to the ground with dismay. 
Mr. Nelson, fully realizing the seriousness of the 
situation, left Eobinson in charge of Jim and 
began an investigation. Jim, also having more 
love for the missing hoy than for the English- 
man, left the latter sitting by the fire, and joined 
in the search. 

Mr. Nelson began by questioning Ignati closely, 
then severely, but it became evident that the latter 
knew nothing of the boy’s disappearance, or was 
very skillful at simulating innocence. And the 
latter was hardly probable. Then the search was 
directed away from the camp. 

It was now quite dark. Fortunately, a lantern 
had been brought along, and this was put into 
service. Ordinarily, it was not used much, as 
they had found it convenient to bring only a little 
oil with them. But this was a case of emergency, 


186 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

and the last drop would have been used, if neces- 
sary. 

Tchort’s services were also brought into play. 
A rope was fastened to his collar, and he was 
given the scent and Archie’s trail. He proved 
an excellent bloodhound, for he followed the scent 
like a man-hunter, tugging at the rope which Mr. 
Nelson held wrapped around one hand. Jim 
carried the lantern. Their bows and arrows were 
hung across their backs Indian-style in order that 
they might be out of the way in the search. Each 
had a hea\y revolver that would satisfy emer- 
gency needs. 

Every few minutes Mr. Nelson would pull the 

husky ” to a stop and examine the trail. 
Archie’s tracks were plainly discernible. The 
ground here was a mixture of clay and sand, so 
that the grass in many places was either thin or 
wanting entirely. Soon Ealph caught an inkling 
of the suspicion that occupied Mr. Nelson’s mind, 
and he chilled with apprehension. Bear! — per- 
haps the one they had seen that evening — had 
he come around that way and — 

The thought was too horrible for coherent ex- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 187 

pression. Just then another halt was made and 
the ground examined again. 

What does this mean? 

Mr. Nelson asked the question. Jim Long was 
equally puzzled. Ealph, trembling with fear, 
looked at the trail, but was relieved that no bear 
tracks had been found. 

But there were other tracks than those of 
Archie in the soft earth. Jim Long expressed 
the situation truly when he said : 

There’s somebody with him — a man — an’ 
he wears moccasins. See, there’s no heels in his 
tracks, an’ Archie didn’t go with ’im very willin’. 
See how he dug his feet in the ground? ” 

They must have had a fight,” said Ealph. 
“ And he must have been a strong man to walk 
Archie otf that way an’ keep him from calling for 
help.” 

‘ ‘ Are there any savage natives on the island ? ’ ’ 
inquired Mr. Nelson. 

Not what you’d call savages,” replied Jim. 

But there’s bad uns that’ll do purty near any- 
thing. They ain’t as smart as Indians.” 

Let’s hurry on,” said Mr. Nelson. Every 


188 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

moment is precious. First thing we know it 11 be 
raining and kill the scent.” 

They hastened on, Tchort leading the way 
rapidly and without hesitation. Little reckoning 
was made of time or direction. The freedom 
and possibly the life of a much-loved boy was in 
jeopardy, and none of the three stopped to con- 
sider the discomfort that must be theirs if they 
became lost in the rainstorm. Once Ealph looked 
back toward the cave, but the intervening hills 
shut the camp fire from view. 

After they had traveled a mile or more it began 
to rain. The water came down heavily, but they 
had raincoats on and did not mind this. Ealph 
had even forgotten that his feet were wet. The 
activities of the last two hours had kept him very 
warm, and his feet could easily have become damp 
from sweating. 

The rain soon destroyed the scent, and Tchort 
became useless. Mr. Nelson then turned him 
loose, and the dog followed at their heels. The 
ground was examined with the aid of the lantern, 
and the trail was made out slowly for some dis- 
tance, but it finally disappeared. 

The rescuers now found themselves unable to 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 189 

proceed further to advantage. Mr. Nelson and 
Ralph became almost frantic. It seemed to them 
all-important that the search be continued 
without interruption by darkness or storm. 
They wished to keep on the move, aimlessly if 
need be. They could not stand the suspense of 
idleness. A single moment of blindly directed 
action might result in the rescue of Archie. 

Jim Long was the coolest of the three. He 
agreed that it was better to be on the move, not 
because of any hope of finding the missing boy 
before morning, but because it was not well for 
them to stand idly without shelter while the rain 
came down in such torrents. It was a cold storm, 
unaccompanied by lightning and thunder. A 
strong wind blew the heavy rain against their 
legs, and although they wore good rubber-footed 
mucklucks, the water got in over the tops and wet 
their feet. 

It won’t do to stand here all night,” said Jim. 
<< We’re just as good as lost. We couldn’t even 
find our way back to camp, it’s so dark, an’ we’d 
just waste our time huntin’ for the boy. We’ve 
got to find a shelter or keep on the move.” 

a We’re hardly likely to find any shelter,” re- 


190 The Boys' Big Game Series 

plied Mr. Nelson. And if we’re going to keep 
on the move, we may as well search for Archie.” 

I don’t like to get very far away from where 
we lost the trail,” answered Jim. If there’s 
any of it left, we want to pick it up again in the 
morning. ’ ’ 

This argument appealed to Mr. Nelson and 
Ealph, and they decided to listen to their guide ’s 
counsel. 

< < We ’re on the side of the hill now, ’ ’ said Ealph. 

Let’s walk over to the other side, and see if we 
can find shelter there, and if we can’t, we’ll come 
back. ’ ’ 

As Mr. Nelson and Jim could think of nothing 
better to do, this suggestion was adopted. The 
hill was not steep or high and it was fairly 
smooth. Their progress was necessarily slow, 
however, as they had to be constantly on the look- 
out for treacherous places. The lantern was a 
good one, having a well-polished refiector, and 
threw a light some distance ahead. 

It required fifteen minutes for them to reach 
the top of the hill. The descent on the other side 
was rather more steep and was made with even 
greater care. But it was without danger until 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 191 

they reached the foot, where they found some- 
thing that proved the wisdom of their caution. 

It was a stream of water, hardly large enough 
to he called a river, yet of good volume, swollen 
by the rains and melting snow. Mr. Nelson, who 
carried the lantern, was first to discover it. 

‘‘ Look out! ’’ he said. Here’s a river.” 

He threw the light over the water, and they 
were able to see across. 

That must be the creek that flows into the 
bay a short distance below our camp. ’ ’ 

Yes, I guess it is,” agreed Jim. 

Let’s explore it a little,” suggested Ealph. 

Often there’s a cave or overhangin’ shelter in 
a hill along a river.” 

The bank here was low, there being a consider- 
able margin between the river and the hill. 

Be mighty careful,” cautioned Jim. We’d 
better take hold o’ hands.” 

This was done, Mr. Nelson leading the way with 
the lantern, and Jim bringing up the rear as a 
strong hold-back in case the leader should slip 
over a precipice. They had not gone far, how- 
ever, when the leader stopped. 

What’s the matter? ” inquired Ralph. 


192 The Boys* Big Game Series 

“ Don^t you see it? replied Mr. Nelson. 

What? asked Jim and Ealph in chorus. 

Looks like a house of some sort.’’ 

Jim hastened to the side of Mr. Nelson. The 
object of interest was ten feet ahead and a like 
distance back from the river. 

It’s a barabara,” said Jim, with some excite- 
ment; ‘^an’ ” 

And what? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

‘‘ Mebbe ” 

‘‘ Yes, maybe Archie is in there. I’ll bet any- 
thing this is the retreat of the rascal that kid- 
napped him. You see my advice that we keep on 
the move was good. ’ ’ 

Jim made no reply. He went up to the en- 
trance and examined the door. It was closed. 

Get your revolvers ready,” he whispered. 

I’m goin’ to wake ’em up.” 

‘‘ Be careful and don’t shoot Archie,” was 
Ealph ’s warning as he drew his pistol. 

Stand aside,” said Jim, as he gave a loud 
rap on the rude wooden door. 

They listened. No reply came. All was silence 
within. And Jim rapped again, this time louder. 
Again they listened. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 193 


‘‘ What’s that? ” asked Ralph. His ears were 
keenest. 

I didn’t hear anything,” replied his father. 

‘ ‘ I did, ’ ’ insisted the boy. ‘ ‘ Listen again. ’ ’ 
They put their ears close to the door. A groan 
of distress came from within. 

It’s Archie! ” exclaimed Ralph. He’s a 
prisoner — he ’s gagged. ’ ’ 

Without more ado Jim kicked the door. He 
kicked again — it fell in. 

The three rescuers rushed inside, revolvers 
drawn, the lantern lighting up the interior. On 
a pile of blankets in a farther corner lay the form 
of — not Archie, but a man. He was hound hand 
and foot and gagged, as Ralph had suspected. 

With feelings of disappointment, the two men 
and the hoy leaned over the prisoner and looked 
into his face. Exclamations of surprise followed. 
It was the other Englishman, Burns ! 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE CAVE IN THE AIR 

Archie Ellis, with two small poles on his 
shoulder, was running rapidly after his cousin 
when his progress was interrupted. Suddenly a 
dark form arose in his path and seized him 
around the throat. He had seen the object before 
him but thought it a boulder, so roundly was it 
curled up. Ralph was not more than a hundred 
yards ahead, but Archie could not make a sound 
to call his attention, so completely was he over- 
powered. 

Archie was almost upon the object when it 
arose to the height and proportions of a human 
being. He had no opportunity to get a view of 
his features or any details of his appearance. He 
might have supposed his assailant to be Ralph 
playing a joke on him, but for three reasons : one, 
this was no time for joking; two, he had seen 
Ralph a good distance ahead only a minute be- 
fore ; three, the fellow was larger and had a much 
194 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 195 

more powerful grip than Ralph. Incidentally, it 
may be wondered how Ralph had escaped a sim- 
ilar attack, for he had taken almost the same path 
and passed near the same “ boulder, but his 
escape is probably explained by the fact that he 
was followed by another person who would doubt- 
less see the attack and render assistance. Archie 
struggled with all his strength, but found him- 
self a puny thing in the hands of his powerful 
captor. He was choked almost to insensibility 
before the muscular fingers were removed from 
his throat. Then the man spoke for the first time. 

Make a sound and I’ll kill you. Go straight 
ahead this way. At the first noise, you’re a dead 
one. ’ ’ 

The speech was cold, weird and cruel. Archie 
could hardly have believed it possible for any 
human being to possess such a voice. It chilled 
him to the bone. Nevertheless, he had the temer- 
ity several times to attempt to impede their prog- 
ress. He held back and dug his heels in the 
earth, only to call forth expressions of wrath from 
his captor and a rain of blows upon himself. He 
did not dare to call for help, fearing the threat- 
ened death blow. 


196 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


Their course was inland and nearly at right 
angles to the direction in which he had been 
traveling when he was assaulted. Archie's cap- 
tor remained behind, urging him on with a 
vigorous push whenever his pace lagged and 
keeping him on a run until he was nearly ex- 
hausted. When he saw the boy could run no 
longer, the man allowed him to walk. 

Evidently the fellow knew the ground like a 
book, never hesitating even after the night be- 
came pitch dark and the rain fell in torrents. He 
even steered clear of large boulders and rough 
ground. Several times Archie stumbled and 
would have fallen, but he was caught by the collar 
and fairly lifted along until he regained his 
equilibrium. 

Naturally, Archie wondered what all this could 
mean. What sort of being was this strange, 
powerful person who knew this wild country so 
intimately f What in the world could he want with 
a boy hunter from California, whose most serious 
design against the island was the slaying of Ka- 
diak bear? Archie would have shaken his head 
like a doctor over a puzzling case, but all his 
energies were directed to moving forward. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 197 

He did not forget that he had a weapon of de- 
fense — two, in fact. One was his bow slung 
across his back, and his arrows stuck in a perfor- 
ated piece of walrus skin for a quiver; the other 
was his revolver in his right hip pocket. He 
wondered that these had not been taken from him, 
but was glad he was permitted to wonder. He 
would have attempted to draw his revolver and 
escape with the aid of it, but his coat was but- 
toned tight around him and a move to his “ pistol 
pocket would be difficult and probably be de- 
tected and result in his being disarmed. Above 
all things, he wished to retain possession of his 
revolver. 

How far or how long they ran and walked, 
Archie had no way of determining. Doubtless 
the time and the distance seemed longer than they 
were. He was certain they traveled several miles 
and more certain that he was very tired when the 
journey was ended. Meanwhile, his captor said 
nothing to him, although every now and then he 
talked to himself in a strange, incoherent manner 
that caused Archie to wonder a good deal. 

The last hundred yards of their way was up 
the side of a mountain. At last, when it seemed 


198 The Boys' Big Game Series 

to the weary boy that they could climb no longer, 
they stopped at what seemed a solid-wall end of 
their path. Archie wondered what would come 
next. He turned and looked at his captor, but it 
was too dark to discern his features. He was as- 
tonished, however, to observe that the man had 
long hair falling on his shoulders and a beard 
reaching to his waist. This discovery filled him 
with the deepest awe, associated as it was with 
the dark and dismal night and the wild out-of-the- 
way place. He began to be fearful of something 
more terrible than death. 

But he had not long to shudder and anticipate 
in idleness. The man put his hand on a project- 
ing rock and gave it a push. It swung around and 
left an opening large enough for one to crawl in. 
Then, seizing his prisoner by the arms, he drew 
them back and together and held them thus with 
one powerful hand while with the other he pro- 
ceeded to secure them with a thong that he wound 
around the wrists. Archie made no resistance. 
After his arms were secured, he was pushed 
through the opening. The man followed and 
swung the stone back. They were in the blackest 
of darkness. Archie was then half-led half- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 199 

pushed through a long passageway, which 
seemed to be a natural mountain cave. Finally, 
they stopped and Archie ^s strange captive turned 
his attention to a fire that had almost died out. 
He laid on some wood and got down on his 
hands and knees and blew the coals until a blaze 
was started. In a short time the fire was burning. 
Evidently there was a good draft in the cave, 
for the air was not stuffy with smoke. 

While the cave dweller was thus occupied, 
Archie had an opportunity to get a good view of 
his face in the firelight. It was difficult to judge 
his age because of his unkempt and shaggy ap- 
pearance. His face was one of large features, 
and looked as if it might once have expressed con- 
siderable intelligence. But now Archie could see 
little intelligence in it. Solitude in a desolate 
pl^ce seemed to have rendered his countenance 
almost expressionless except in a certain animal 
fierceness. He was clothed entirely in skins, even 
his shoes being rude moccasins sewed with thongs. 

Was it possible? Archie was startled with a 
suspicion that came to him all of a sudden. It 
seemed so probable that he was soon convinced 


200 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


there could be no mistaking it. This man must be 
Old Long Hair. 

The mere fact in itself, if true, was not the 
most startling feature of the situation. If this 
indeed was Old Long Hair, where was Old Mid- 
wit! Might he not he expected to come strolling 
in at any moment and take his place at the fire- 
side with his home companion! Archie shud- 
dered at the idea. 

And, of course, if the bear had been trained by 
the man to semi-civilized habits, he would doubt- 
less want his supper when he came home. What 
would he expect to eat ! Surely this boy prisoner 
would make an excellent morsel. Archie shud- 
dered again. 

Meanwhile, the boy^s captor began prepara- 
tions for supper. These consisted of taking 
down from a stone shelf the carcass of a moun- 
tain sheep, cutting off a liberal piece of meat 
with an old case knife, and holding it over the 
fire with a sharp stick stuck through it. Wliile 
occupied in broiling the steak he sat on a low 
projection from the wall and gazed at the meat 
and the fire as if there was nothing else worthy 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 201 

of his consideration. He seemed to be forgetful 
of the presence of his prisoner. 

At last Archie decided to break the monotony 
and induce the man to talk. Hitherto he had 
been too much frightened to open conversation. 
Hardly knowing how else to introduce an ex- 
change of words, he said ; 

Say.^^ 

The hollow echo of his voice in the deep- 
throated cavern gave the hoy a chill of awe. He 
had not spoken loudly, yet the word echoed al- 
most like a roar. Seemingly the cavern was 
larger than he had suspected. The fire afforded 
sufficient light for him to inspect the immediate 
vicinity, and he could see the ceiling fifteen feet 
over him and the walls a like distance apart. But 
back in the cave he fancied he could look into a 
vast void of darkness 

The man made no reply to the prisoner’s ad- 
dress. He seemed not to hear it, continuing to 
gaze on the broiling meat. Presuming that he 
was sullen and did not wish to answer, Archie 
determined to force him to speak. He repeated 
his address louder. 

‘‘ Say! ” 


202 The Boys* Big Game Series 

Still the man did not reply nor appear to notice 
the echoing sound. Archie spoke again. 

“ Say, what do you mean by keepin^ me pris- 
oner. IVe got friends near who’ll dynamite this 
mountain to set me free.” 

The long-haired cave dweller started and 
looked around — not at Archie, for he was al- 
most facing him, hut into the dark recesses of the 
cavern. The meat fell into the fire, and the man 
fished it out nervously. 

‘‘ You’d better set me free or my friends’ll 
come here and kill you,” continued Archie. 

“ Kill! ” 

This word was uttered with a scream. The 
man leaped to his feet and snatched up a bow that 
he had thrown down near the fire when they ar- 
rived. Drawing an arrow from his quiver he 
nocked it and stood waiting as if for an enemy. 
Archie trembled like a leaf. He expected the 
fellow any moment to turn his attention toward 
him and send an arrow through his body. 

But his captor appeared not to notice him. He 
gazed back into the blackness of the cavern with 
a fixed stare. Presently he seemed to see some- 
thing of interest. A fierce grin distorted his fea- 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 203 

tures and lie lifted the bow and pnlled back the 
string. The arrow flew. 

It seemed to Archie that the shaft had time to 
go a- mile before it struck. Then, far back in the 
cavern, he heard a sharp echoing sound. 

Kill? cried the wild archer. Kill? Yes. 
I killed him. He wonT threaten me any more. 
IVe got the gold. Hefll never get a cent. He’s 
a thief, a thief, a thief ! ’ ’ 

Archie was in a cold sweat. Could a boy be in 
a more terrible position. He realized the truth 
now. He was in the power of a crazy man. 


CHAPTER XIX 


OLD MID WIT AND LONG HAIR 

Satisfied with his fancied victorj, the crazy 
caye dweller threw down his bow and returned to 
his seat. The piece of meat that he had been 
broiling had fallen again into the fire and was 
enveloped in the blaze. He hauled down the 
sheep ^s carcass again, cut olf another steak, spit 
it and held it over the fire. 

Archie’s desire to converse with the insane 
man had now vanished. Instead of wishing to 
attract his attention, he was disposed to shrink 
up close to the wall and out of the glare of the 
firelight. Believing that his captor had really 
forgotten him, the boy decided to attempt an es- 
cape in spite of the fact that his arms were tied 
behind his back. He was certain that if he could 
get a hundred feet away from the fire, he would 
be able to remove the thongs on his wrists by 
drawing them back and forth on a sharp stone. 

Slowly, he began to roll back into the darkness. 
Once over, he stopped and looked at the man at 
204 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 205 

the fire. The latter was still absorbed in his oc- 
cupation as cook. He rolled over again — still 
he seemed unobserved. Another time and an- 
other — he stopped. The long-haired fellow 
arose, walked quickly over to the boy, seized him 
by the collar, dragged him back and dropped him 
down by the fire. Then he returned to his supper 
preparations. Archie knew better than to make 
another attempt to escape. The crazy man was 
wider awake than he had appeared. 

Pretty soon the meat was done and the cook 
cut it in two and gave half of it to Archie, un- 
tying his hands so he could eat. The boy was 
hungry and devoured his portion eagerly, al- 
though it was flat from lack of seasoning. He 
was watched closely during the meal, his captor 
sitting near him while they ate their supper. 

After the meal Archie’s hands and feet were 
tied. Then, for the first time since they entered 
the cave, the wild man spoke to him. 

How d’you like your new home? ” he asked, 
with sane enough manner. 

‘‘Home!” replied Archie derisively, hoping 
that the man would prove to be not so badly un- 
balanced after all. “ I call this a prison.” 


206 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

^‘Ha-ha-ha!’’ laughed the other. His voice 
rang in a wild manner that caused the boy’s 
hopes to drop. Yes, it’s a prison now, but it 
won’t be long. I’m goin’ to adopt you.” 

Adopt me,” laughed Archie. What you 
going to do that for? ” 

I’m lonesome and I want an heir.” 

Archie would have laughed at this explanation, 
but he knew he might expect anything ridiculous 
from the fellow’s disordered mind. His fears 
had abated considerably, inasmuch as the man 
seemed now to look on him with good nature. He 
decided to humor him and appear to take him 
seriously. 

What do you want an heir for? ” he asked. 

Are you rich? ” 

Eich! Ha-ha-ha! Well, I should say I am. 
Say, you’ve heard o’ Eockefeller, haven’t you? ” 

Sure. Everybody knows John H.” 

‘‘ That’s it, that’s it! ” cried the delighted 
mental wreck. I knew it, I knew it. I’d for- 
gotten his full name. One night I had a dream 
that my heir’d come here and tell me Eocke- 
feller ’s full name and mine. Now, tell me my 
name, and you’re my heir.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 207 

“ You’re Old Long Hair,” replied Archie un- 
hesitatingly. 

The insane man leaped to his feet with a wild 
scream of delight. 

‘ ‘ My son, my son, my adopted son ! ” he cried, 
dancing around in high glee. “You shall be 
heir to millions, millions, millions — do you 
hear? Millions, I say. Wait till I show you.” 

He ran back in the darkness and soon returned, 
throwing a handful of gold coins down before his 
astonished prisoner. 

‘‘ There! ” he said. ‘‘ What did I tell you? 
That’s just a sample. I’ve got bushels just like 
’em. Take ’em, take ’em; they’re yours. You’re 
my heir. Why don’t you take ’em? ” 

How can I when my hands are tied? ” asked 
Archie. 

Oh, I forgot. I must set you free since 
you’re my adopted son and heir. You’re goin’ 
to stay with me, ain’t you? ” 

Of course,” replied Archie. 

Of course,” repeated Long Hair, kneeling 
beside the boy and untying the thongs about his 
wrists and ankles. 

Archie stood up and stretched his aching limbs. 


208 The Boys' Big Game Series 

Then he picked np the coins on the cave floor and 
held them to the fire for examination. They 
were nine twenty-dollar gold pieces. 

‘‘ Gee! But I’m having some adventure,” he 
mused. This beats anything outside of the 
‘ Arabian Nights. ’ Where did you get this 
money? ” he asked. 

‘‘ Ah, that’s the secret, that’s the mystery,” 
whispered Long Hair. And even the whisper 
echoed in the cave. ‘‘ Where did Eockefeller get 
his money? That’s another mystery, another 
secret. Nobody must know — ha! ha! Nobody 
must know. It’s enough for you to be my heir. 
Don’t ask any foolish questions. I’ve got the 
money, it’s mine, and it’s goin’ to be yours when 
I die.” 

‘‘You ain’t expecting to die yet, are you? 
You’re a young man.” 

“ Young man! ” cried the lunatic. “ Why, I’m 
nearly as old as Old Midwit, and he’s been here 
even since these mountains were heaved out o ’ the 
sea.” 

“ Does Old Midwit live here with you? ” in- 
quired Archie, looking around apprehensively. 

“ He lives downstairs, and I live upstairs. 


The King Bear of KadiaJc Island 209 

When he goes out, I go down an’ make his bed 
an’ wash up his dishes. You can help do that 
now. You’ll be serving the king.” 

King! Who’s the king? ” 

Old Midwit. He’s king over the Kadiaks.” 
How do you know the people of this island 
call you Old Long Hair and the bear, Old 
Midwit? ” 

‘‘ Ah, that’s another secret, but I’ll reveal it to 
you, as you must find it out anyway. I’ve got a 
friend. He comes and sees me once in awhile 
and tells me all the news, and I give him a piece 
of money.” 

“ Who is he? ” 

A native.” 

<< Why don’t you have him bring you some 
clothes and tools, and a gun and some household 
furniture? ” inquired Archie, looking around 
over the bare “ apartment.” ‘‘ You could make 
a dandy place out of this if you’d fix it up. 
That’s what the pirate kings used to do.” 

No, no,” replied Long Hair, shaking his 
head vigorously. ‘‘ That’d never do. Old Mid- 
wit an’ I must live in the simplest fashion, and so 


210 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

must you. We’ll throw away those clothes of 
yours and make you some out of goatskins. ’ ’ 
Archie decided that his only hope of escape 
was in keeping the insane man under the delusion 
that he intended to remain with him. Apparently 
he was harmless if his purpose were not crossed. 

“ Can I keep my bow and arrows and go 
huntin’ with you? ” the boy asked. 

Of course you can, of course you can. We’ll 
go huntin’ every day together. We’ll kill sheep 
and goats and — ” 

And bear,” suggested Archie. 

‘‘ NO! ” thundered Long Hair. ‘‘ Old Midwit 
has forbidden me to kill any bear. They belong 
to his tribe and must not be slain. ’ ’ 

^ ‘ How long have you lived here ? ’ ’ was 
Archie’s next question. 

So long I can’t remember. The snow on the 
highest peaks has melted a thousand times since 
I came. ’ ’ 

How old are you? ” ♦ 

Older than this mountain.” 

How old is Old Midwit? ” 

Hah! That is another secret. But I’ll tell 
it to you. It is an awful secret, an awful secret. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 211 

How old is Old Midwit? Let me whisper it to 
you/’ 

Long Hair came near to Archie and put his lips 
close to the boy’s left ear and whispered 
hoarsely : 

He^s as old as Time! ” 

Then he leaped back with a ringing laugh that 
caused the cold sweat to break out over the boy ’s 
body. Archie was becoming accustomed to the 
crazy man’s antics, hut some of his wild and 
hideous doings in that gloomy place were enough 
to make a nerveless man shudder. 

Let’s go to bed,” suggested the adopted ” 
prisoner. He had had enough of this sort of 
thing. 

All right,” consented Long Hair. He 
pointed out a pile of goat skins and told the boy 
to help himself. 

Archie took half a dozen of the skins and made 
him a bed, rolling one up for a pillow. Then he 
lay down and tried to go to sleep. 

Of course, this was difficult under the circum- 
stances. Naturally, his brain would not rest. 
Foremost in his mind was the anxiety of his 
uncle and cousin and Jim Long because of his 


212 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

disappearance. Doubtless they were scouring the 
country to find him. But it would he foolish for 
him to attempt to escape now. In the first place, 
he might be unable to find his way out of the cave. 
And if he should succeed in doing this, how could 
he expect to find his way to the camp on such a 
black and stormy night? He would wait until 
morning, hoping that he and his captor might 
have occasion to go out of the cave. Then he 
would escape, if he had to use his revolver to do 
so. 

I don’t want to shoot him,” Archie told him- 
self. He don’t seem to be such a bad fellow if 
he’s humored.” 

Meanwhile Long Hair prepared a bed for him- 
self similar to Archie’s. Before lying down, he 
banked the fire with sod filled so full of roots as 
to be almost a fuel in itself. He fell asleep soon 
after lying down, as indicated by his heavy 
snoring. 

At last Archie, too, fell asleep. He slept 
soimdly until morning. When he awoke, all was 
darkness in the cave, and he closed his eyes again, 
trying to shut out a mental view of a fearful situ- 
ation. He had had an awful dream — that was 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 213 

the way he tried to look at it. And yet, he was 
forced to admit that his memory of the dream 
was fearfully real. He even remembered such a 
detail as traveling through the rain with wet feet, 
and he moved his lower limbs to find out their 
condition. They were dry now. In the excite- 
ment of the evening, he had forgotten that his 
feet were wet. 

‘‘ That^s one proof I was dreaming,’’ he * 
argued. Of course, I couldn’t have had such a 
ridiculous experience. It’s nonsense. But just 
to make sure. I’ll reach over and touch Ealph.” 

He put out his right arm and his hand came in 
contact with a stone wall. This startled him a 
little, but he remembered the cave Ignati had dug, 
and felt again. No, it was stone, not earth. He 
began to chill, then refused to believe this 
evidence. 

‘‘ I must be turned around,” he told himself. 

‘ ^ Ealph is on the other side. I guess we changed 
sides the second night.” 

He rolled over and put forth his left hand. 
Yes, he was right. He felt the warm flesh of a 
human face. It was Ealph — no, it was his father, 
or Jim, or Ignati, or Dane, or — 


214 The Boys' Big Game Series 

The chill came back. As his hand moved about 
it came in contact with a mass of long hair. This 
was no member of the hunting party — it was not 
even Tchort. Archie would have been convinced 
that his supposed dream was a reality, but he 
could not understand how Old Long Hair hap- 
pened to be lying beside him. They had made 
their beds on opposite sides of the fire, according 
to his ^ ‘ dream. ’ ’ 

At the touch of the boy^s hand, the cave dweller 
moved a little. As the hand passed over his face, 
he woke up and Archie lay back and pretended 
to be asleep. He no longer doubted the reality 
of his dream. Long Hair arose and went to 
the fire, stirred it up a little and put on some 
fuel. 

Soon it began to blaze and a light was thrown 
in the crazy man’s face. 

“ Good morning,” said the boy. 

Long Hair seemed not to hear. Archie tried 
again in a ditferent manner that he hoped would 
cultivate the fellow’s confidence. 

Good morning, father,” he said. 

It worked excellently. Long Hair smiled at the 
boy, and said: 


The King Bear of KadiaJc Island 215 

Good morning, my son. How did yon 
sleep? ’’ 

Fine,’’ replied ArcMe. I didn’t wake up 
once all night. I thought you made your bed 
over there.” 

‘ ‘ I did, but I changed it. I wanted to sleep be- 
side my son.” 

Shall I help you get breakfast! ” inquired 
the boy as he arose and stood by the fire. 

The man gave his consent to this, and Archie 
made inquiries to find out what provisions were 
in the larder.” Long Hair pointed to the 
sheep carcass on the shelf — that was all. 

Where do you get your drinking water! ” 
asked the adopted son.” 

Come along with me, and I’ll show you,” re- 
plied the adopting father.” 

The latter led the way into the darkness of the 
cave. Archie was about to suggest that they 
carry a burning brand with them; then remem- 
bered that he had in his pocket a box of matches 
from which he could produce a light if necessary. 
They proceeded a hundred feet or more along a 
straight passage, then made two short turns and 
a flood of daylight burst upon them. 


216 The Boys' Big Game Series 

The prisoner was on the alert now. He would 
make a break for freedom at the first oppor- 
tunity. But the hope was soon dashed to the 
ground. At the mouth of the cave they stepped 
out, not upon the side of a hill sloping down to an 
open plain, but onto a ledge two hundred feet up 
on the side of a mountain. 

Thus far since awaking. Long Hair had con- 
ducted himself with almost an appearance of 
sanity. His conversation had seemed fairly well- 
balanced. But now a change came over him, 
while the wind blew his hair and whiskers wildly 
about his neck and shoulders. He raised one 
hand and waved it out toward the expanse of hills 
and valleys and the sea, saying : 

Behold, my son, what you will fall heir to. 
All my lands and all my gold will be yours. 

I thought Old Midwit was king o’ the Kad- 
iaks,” replied Archie. 

So he is,” agreed Long Hair. But I’m his 
prime minister, and the prime minister’s as 
powerful as the king. There he comes now — 
and his queen after him. ’ ’ 

Archie looked down in the direction indicated 
and beheld two huge bears climbing up the rocks 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 217 


in a manner that would have seemed impossible. 
He could discern a rough path that they had 
made in their frequent going up and down. Old 
Midwit was in advance, halfway up the incline, 
and his mate followed about twenty feet after. 


CHAPTER XX 


THE MYSTERY OF HANK LOOMIS 

It was an hour after sunup. The rain had 
ceased, and a few large clouds were hanging lazily 
in the sky. It was the real spring of Kadiak 
Island, for nature was in the very act of bursting 
into leaf and bloom. 

Only a few days before, the ground had been 
covered with snow, or in the bare places, was 
bleak and dreary. Now what a change had taken 
place! In the course of the night the air had 
become much warmer and very pleasant. 

Archie would have given the world for his 
camera. If he could only catch snapshots of Old 
Midwit and his mate coming up that steep pile of 
rocks and of Old Long Hair, a picture of exult- 
ing insanity, waving his hands majestically over 
his wild dominion ! He forgot the seriousness of 
the man ’s mental condition. He forgot the danger 
that a freak of mental unbalance might cause him 
to become violent suddenly and hurl his ‘ ‘ adopted 
son down to certain death. 

218 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 219 

This surely is beautiful, wonderful,’^ he said 
to himself. Oh, how I wish Ealph and Uncle 
Will and Mr. Long were here. They donT know 
what they^re missing.’’ 

Then he looked down toward the hears and 
wondered where they were going. He could see 
no place they could he making for unless 

Was it possible they were coming up to the 
ledge on which he and Long Hair were standing? 

He leaned forward as far as he dared and looked 
down the side of the mountain. He could not see 
how it was possible for even a bear to climb up 
on this ledge. There was not a foothold within 
ten feet of it for the smallest animal larger than 
an insect. 

The bears climbed rapidly and seemed to be 
making directly for the place where he was stand- 
ing. Presently, Old Midwit disappeared under 
the projecting natural platform, and Archie ex- 
pected to see him the next moment climb up over 
the edge. But Midwit’s mate also disappeared 
at the same spot, and neither of them reappeared. 

Where did they go? ” asked the boy. 

“ Downstairs,” replied Long Hair, who contin- 
ued to gaze out over his picturesque domain.” 


220 The Boys^ Big Game Series 
How did they get ini 

^ ‘ There an entrance right under this one. ’ ’ 

‘‘ How do you get down there! ’’ 

^ ‘ That ^s another secret that will be revealed to 
you in due time.’’ 

Archie now remembered their purpose in com- 
ing to this place, and inquired : 

Where we going to get our water! ” 

Without replying, Long Hair went back into the 
cave a short distance and returned with an iron 
pail to which was attached a long coil of rawhide. 
The pail was let down over the ledge, and then 
Archie observed that there was an unobstructed 
drop into a stream running along the foot of the 
almost perpendicular wall of the mountain. In 
fact, the part of the great pile of stones and earth 
where they stood, projected several feet beyond 
any other part below. 

This was the crazy hermit’s “ well.” Archie 
wondered how an insane man could be so sane in 
many of his doings. The bucket was let down 
into the river and was drawn up again full of 
clear, cool water. Then they returned to the fire 
in the cave and prepared breakfast. 

Archie decided that the diet his ‘‘ adopting 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 221 


father ’’ 'provided would make life with him un- 
bearable, even though he found no other objec- 
tion. How the man could maintain vigorous 
health on water and unsalted meat was beyond 
his understanding. 

After breakfast Archie suggested that they go 
hunting, and Long Hair agreed. The prepara- 
tions were simple and quickly made. The pri- 
soner was elated. He was certain that he was 
about to escape. As soon as they were out of 
the cave, he would draw his revolver, cover his 
insane captor, disarm him, and then return to 
camp. To his mind, it was a simple performance 
after he once got Old Long Hair off his guard. 

But before they got started, there was an inter- 
ruption. An intruder appeared upon the scene. 
He stepped into the lighted area as Long Hair 
was about to bank the fire. 

The latter started back in alarm, seizing his bow 
and drawing an arrow. Then an exclamation of 
anger escaped him as he recognized the visitor. 
It was a half-breed, clad in the coarse rough- 
weather garb of the natives of the island. He 
crouched before the lunatic as if in trembling 
fear of that object of Kadiak superstition. Long 


222 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

Hair advanced toward him in a threatening man- 
ner and addressed him harshly in the native 
tongue. 

The native fell on his knees and replied in 
trembling tones. 

The conversation lasted a minute or two, and 
then something said by the Aleut angered Long 
Hair still more and he kicked him. 

The native begged for mercy. Long Hair 
kicked him again several times and expressed his 
rage in English. 

Didn’t I tell you never to come in here I ” he 
shouted. “ Didn’t I tell you that only men of 
great and noble blood may come in this place? I’ll 
call Old Midwit, and have him devour you.” 

The native acted as if bewildered. Apparently 
he did not understand this foreign tongue. What 
Long Hair would have done next is uncertain, for 
there was another interruption. Another person 
entered on the scene. 

Archie shrank back into the darkness as he 
recognized this second intruder. He could hardly 
believe his eyes. It was Scott Keeler. 

The latter carried a burning spruce torch in 
one hand and a revolver in the other. The pistol 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 223 

was leveled at Long Hair, who stared at Keeler 
as if at a risen corpse. For some moments neither 
spoke, while the half-breed arose from his knees 
and crouched against the wall. Keeler broke the 
silence first. 

‘‘ Hello, Henry Loomis,’? he said. ‘‘ Won’t you 
speak to your old pal you haven’t seen for ten 
years! I’ve found you at last, haven’t I? ” 

Long Hair did not answer. He only continued 
to stare. 

“You thought I’d never find you, didn’t you! ” 
continued the man with the glass eye; “ but I’m 
a guy ’at never gives up. Too much at stake. A 
hundred an’ fifty thousand dollars is a little too 
much for one man to run off with when it ought 
to be divided between two. ’ ’ 

Still the insane man offered no reply, and 
Archie leaned forward from his dark corner to 
catch every word. 

“ That was a nice scoop of ours, wasn’t it! ” 
Keeler went on with sarcastic exultation; “ too 
nice to split in two, eh ! When I trusted you with 
the whole swag, you promised to meet me at Vic- 
toria, but you never showed up. Wasn’t that a 


224 The Boys* Big Game Series 

nice trick to play on a pardner? I^d been square 
with you. Why couldn’t you be square with me? 

IVe been huntin’ for you these ten years, an’ 
now I’ve found you at last. Why don’t you speak 
to me, Hank? Why don’t you say you’re glad to 
see me ? Or did you get off here all alone so you 
couldn ’t see anybody ? What good does the money 
do you here? Why didn’t you go some place 
where you could spend it? Come, now. Hank, 
speak up. Tell me where the money is. I’ve come 
after my share — and interest. ’ ’ 

No reply came from the lips of Long Hair. He 
just stood and stared. 

Keeler turned to the half-breed and spoke to 
him in the native tongue. The latter advanced 
slowly and received some strips of rawhide from 
Keeler and then walked toward Long Hair. 

The cave dweller still stood like a statue, hardly 
seeming to notice the native’s approach. Keeler 
warned the insane man to make no resistance, 
threatening to shoot if he did. But the threat had 
no terrors for him, for suddenly his right fist shot 
forward and hit the half-breed in the face. The 
latter fell over as if struck with a crowbar; then 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 225 

he got Tip and retreated behind Keeler. The lat- 
ter did not shoot. 

Those two fellows came here together/’ de- 
cided Archie. ‘ ‘ That must be the one Long Hair 
meant when he said a native came to see him once 
in awhile. And Keeler’s got hold of him some 
way and they’ve come here to get the old fellow’s 
money. The half-breed’s a rascal like Keeler, 
but he’s afraid of Long Hair. Maybe he thinks 
he’s a god or a man- witch.” 

Keeler seemed puzzled at the rash violence of 
the cave dweller. Doubtless he had expected sub- 
mission at the sight of a revolver, although it did 
not suit his plan to kill the fellow if he could 
possibly avoid it. But he could continue his 
threat, nevertheless. 

‘‘ Hank,” he said harshly; I’ve come here for 
my share, and I’m goin’ to have it. You’d better 
pony up or you know what I’ll do. I haven’t 
hunted for you all these years to be balked at the 
last minute.” 

‘‘ They must have committed a robbery and 
Long Hair ran off with all the money,” mused 
Archie. ** I wonder if I ought to take part in 
this. I could walk up behind Keeler and make 


226 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

liim drop his gun by threatening him with mine. 
But while I’m doin’ that, the half-breed might 
jump onto me from behind. I probably could win 
out if I’d begin by shooting, but I don’t want to 
do that. No, I guess I better make my escape and 
let ’em fight it out among themselves. They’re 
all rascals, though I’m sorry for one ’cause he’s 
crazy. ’ ’ 

Old Long Hair was silent for some moments 
following Keeler’s last speech. Then suddenly 
he burst forth into a raving appeal that had little 
meaning for any one present but himself and 
Archie. 

My son, my son, my adopted son! ” he cried. 
“ Where are you? Won’t you help your father? 
Have you deserted me? I’ve made you heir to 
all my land, and all my gold, and given you the 
love of a father. Where have you gone? Are 
you a coward? If you are. I’ll disinherit you. 
Come, help your father in his trouble and I’ll give 
you half of your inheritance now. ’ ’ 

Keeler gave several exclamations of astonish- 
ment and said loud enough for Archie to hear: 

Crazy! Crazy as a loon! This is what it all 
means, eh. Well, what am I to do now? 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 227 


Then, as if determined to try again to make a 
successful impression on Long Hair, he said; 

‘ ‘ Hank, do you hear me ? ’ ’ 

‘‘ Hear you? ’’ replied the other. ‘‘ I hear the 
devil taunting his burning victims.^’ 

No you don’t,’’ laughed Keeler. ‘‘You hear 
your old friend and pal, Eddie Eiddle, talkin’ to 
you. Don’t you know me? ” 

“ Another name for Scott Keeler, alias Luke 
Chapman,” mused Archie. “ I wonder how 
many more he has, and which is right.” 

‘ ‘ Eddie Eiddle is the devil, ’ ’ snarled Old Long 
Hair. “ He ought to he under the ground.” 

‘ ‘ He is, ’ ’ replied Keeler. ‘ ‘ So are you. We ’re 
both under the ground.” 

“ We’re not. This mountain isn’t earth. It’s 
made of condensed bear-hugs. Ha-ha-ha.” 

“ Condensed moonbeams, you mean, you Mid- 
wit gran ’mother. This revolver o’ mine shoots 
bear-hugs, and if you don’t get busy and show me 
where that money is. I’ll send one right into your 
noodle. How would you like to have a bear-hug 
in your noodle. Hank, just for old time’s sake.” 

“I’d rather smash one into you.” 

Like all large mountain caverns of natural for- 


228 The Boys* Big Game Series 

mation, this one had numerous irregularities such 
as stalactites and stalagmites. Just over the spot 
where Long Hair stood, the ceiling hung low and 
several small stalactites were within easy reach 
from the floor. As the hermit spoke, he put up 
one hand, seized one of the large fingers of lime, 
broke it off and hurled it at Keeler. 

The latter dodged the missile with difficulty and 
Long Hair laughed hysterically. 

Ha-ha-ha,” he roared. Look out for your- 
self. Shall I throw another condensed bear-hug 
at you? Ha-ha ! ha-ha-ha ! ’ ’ 

‘‘ HonT you do that again,” warned Keeler. 
If you do, Ifll shoot.” 

Shoot! ” echoed the lunatic. Hoot, toot, 
scoot! wliatfll you shoot? ” 

Ifll shoot you, an’ I’ll shoot to kill. I’m here 
after that money, and if I don’t get it. I’ll get your 
life, and then maybe I’ll get the money too.” 

^ ^ Kill ! ’ ’ screamed the insane man. The word 
seemed to make him wild. 

Kill! ” he repeated fiercely. Kill! ” He 
sprang to the spot where his bow lay, snatched it 
up, and drew an arrow from the walrus hide hung 
from his waist, while he continued to rave : 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 229 

Kill! Yes, l^ll kill. Vll do the killing. You 
can’t shoot condensed bear-hugs, an’ nothing 
else ’ll kill me. You’re a thief, a thief, a thief. 
ril kill, Vll kill, ril kill! ” 

At this moment a pistol shot filled the cave with 
death-ringing echoes and Long Hair staggered 
backward, his bow and arrow falling to the floor. 

‘‘ It’s time for me to get out of here,” Archie 
told himself. I must find uncle and Mr. Long 
and Ealph, and we must come back and put a 
stop to this business.” 

So saying, the crazy man’s adopted son ” 
turned and ran as rapidly as possible down the 
dark passage. 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE SEARCH FOR ARCHIE 

When Mr. Nelson, Ralph and Jim Long found 
the Englishman, Burns, bound and gagged in the 
barabara by the side of the small stream, the lat- 
ter was quickly released. Then he was plied with 
questions for an explanation of his predicament. 
But he was unable to speak for several minutes. 
His limbs were numb and needed exercise, and 
the muscles of his face had suffered in a similar 
manner from the tightly-bound gag. 

‘‘ What does this mean, Mr. Burns? ’’ asked 
Mr. Nelson after the Englishman had signified his 
ability to speak by emitting a volley of oaths. 

That rascal, Luke Chapman,’^ he muttered 
with a new outburst of expletives, he shoved a 
gun in my face and ordered the half-breed to tie 
my hands and feet. Then he gagged me and 
robbed me and left me here. ’ ' 

What did I tell you? said Jim, addressing 
his friends. ‘‘ I said Keeler ’d do ’em the same 
trick he did me.” 

¥ 


230 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 231 

Yes, you knew what you were talking about,’’ 
admitted Mr. Nelson. Then turning to Burns, he 
inquired : 

‘‘ Why did they gag you in this out-of-the-way 
place? You couldn’t call help if you shrieked 
like a tornado.” 

Chapman thought I might. He made a re- 
mark that there was another hunting party in the 
neighborhood and it was best to be on the safe 
side. ’ ’ 

He must ’a’ meaut us,” observed Jim. I 
wonder if he saw us after we come up the bay. ’ ’ 
When did they do this? ” asked Ealph. 

* ‘ A few hours ago. ’ ’ 

Where did they go then? ” 

I don’t know. They seemed to have some 
plan in mind. The native did as he was ordered. 
He appeared to object a little, as if he was afraid 
of something, but Chapman laid down the law to 
him. I couldn’t understand their talk.” 

‘‘ Did you have only“ one native with you? ” 
asked Mr. Nelson. 

Yes.” 

‘‘ How did Eobinson happen to be away? ” 
That’s what I don’t understand,” replied 


232 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

Burns. ‘‘I’m afraid he ’s met with foul play. He 
went away with Chapman and the half-breed and 
I stayed here.” 

“ When did they go? ” 

“ About noon.” 

“ Did they go on a hunt? ” 

“ Yes. Chapman said something about bear 
signs in the neighborhood.” 

“ Why didn’t you go along? I shouldn’t think 
you’d want to miss that.” 

“ Well, the fact is,” admitted Burns with some 
confusion; “ I brought a few bottles along from 
Kadiak. I do like the liquor; I can’t get away 
from it. It follows me everywhere I go. But I 
wouldn’t have got so drunk if it hadn’t been for 
Chapman. He got jolly and convivial and got me 
going. I supposed he was drinking too, but I’m 
pretty sure now he didn’t drink any more’n he 
had to, to keep up appearances.” 

‘ ‘ He wanted to get you drunk, you think, ’ ’ sug- 
gested Mr. Nelson. 

“ Of course, he did. He didn’t want me to go 
hunting with them, for some reason. And when 
they came back, Eobinson wasn’t with ’em.” 


The King Bear of Kadiah Island 233 

You can let your mind rest at ease regarding 
your friend,’^ assured Mr. Nelson. ‘‘He’s safe.” 
“ Do you know where he is? ” 

“ Yes, he’s in our camp. But if it hadn’t been 
for our ‘ husky ’ here, Tchort, he’d probably have 
been mixing up with the gastric juices of Old Mid- 
wit ’s stomach about now.” 

“ You don’t mean it! ” 

“ We’re pretty dead certain of it. We didn’t 
get much explanation from him for he wasn’t in 
a condition to talk much. And then something 
else happened that called our attention from him. ’ ’ 
“ Did he find Old Midwit? ” 

“ We think he did. It was a very large bear. 
The boys were out alone, and shortly before dark 
they came upon the monster over near the head 
of the bay. They were afraid to attack him, and 
were starting for camp when Robinson came along 
and threw a piece of lead into him. Then the 
bear turned onto him and knocked him down and 
would have killed him if it hadn’t been for Tchort. 
The dog made a lot of trouble, I suppose, and led 
him a good chase away from Robinson.” 

“ Where were Chapman and the Indian? ” 
asked Burns. 


234 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

That’s the mystery,” replied Mr. Nelson. 

Robinson said they were with him and had 
guns. He was knocked senseless, and so couldn’t 
know whether they tried to kill the bear or ran 
away. ’ ’ 

Maybe they were both killed,” suggested 
Ralph. 

’Tain’t likely,” said Jim. With Tchort 
a-helpin’ ’em, an’ two good rifles, they ought to 
been killed if they couldn ’t get the best of the big- 
gest bear that ever lived.” 

I don’t believe they tried to help Robinson,” 
declared Burns. Chapman wanted the bear to 
kill him. He wanted to get rid of both of us.” 

< < Why should he want to do that ? ’ ’ asked Mr. 
Nelson. 

^ ^ I s ’pose he wanted us out of the way. I think 
he’s after something out here that he didn’t want 
us to know anything about.” 

I know he is,” put in Jim Long. 

‘‘ Then why didn’t he come alone? ” asked Mr. 
Nelson. Why should he take up with you and 
Robinson at all? ” 

I c’n put in a guess there,” said Jim. ‘‘ It’s 
the same case as when he was with me. He didn’t 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 235 

have enough money to fit out an expedition of 
his own. He had enough cash to bring him to 
Kadiak, an’ that was about all. He depended 
upon his wits to keep him movin’ after he got 
here. ’ ’ 

What do you suppose he’s up to? ” asked 
Ralph. ‘‘ Nobody ever comes out in this wilder- 
ness for anything but to shoot game, do they? ” 

Not very often,” replied Jim. ‘‘ I’ve been 
wonderin’ a good deal myself what he’s after, but 
haven’t been able to find out.” 

How d’you happen this way? ” inquired 
Bums. ‘‘ Get caught in the storm? ” 

Yes,” replied Mr. Nelson. We were look- 
ing for my nephew, who has disappeared.” Mr. 
Nelson stopped short as a possible solution of the 
mystery occurred to him. Then turning to Long, 
he added: 

Say, Jim, do you suppose it was Keeler kid- 
napped Archie? ” 

‘‘ No, I don’t,” replied Jim promptly. 

<< Why not? ” 

’Cause he didn’t wear moccasins.” 

“ Maybe it was the half-breed with him? ” 


236 The Boys' Big Game Series 

It ain’t likely. They don’t wear moccasins 
either. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Who would wear moccasins on this island 1 ’ ’ 

That’s what’s puzzlin’ me. There isn’t the 
sign of a heel or sole in the tracks we found with 
Archie ’s.” 

The search party made beds for themselves on 
the floor of the barabara. In the morning they 
arose early, prepared a hasty breakfast, with pro- 
visions supplied by Burns, and set out again on 
their hunt for the missing boy. Before leaving, 
however, they gave Burns instructions how to 
find their camp in order that he might go there 
and rejoin Eobinson. 

^ ‘ As soon as I find him, we ’ll set out on a hunt 
for Chapman and Cowish,” promised the Eng- 
lishman. 

Who’s Cowish? ” asked Jim. 

‘‘He’s our guide.” 

“ Is that so? What’s his last name? ” 

“ Kailudapack, I believe.” 

Jim gave a long whistle. 

“Another link,” he said. “It’s one o’ the 
half-breeds that was with me when Keeler bribed 
’em an’ ran away with my outfit.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 237 


“ Who’s Keeler? ” inquired Burns. 

“ Chapman. I s’pose he’s got forty or fifty 
more names.” 

They left the barabara at sunup. The rain had 
ceased and it had become much warmer, so that 
they were uncomfortable in their heavy clothing 
after they had tramped an hour. They first at- 
tempted to find the trail they had lost soon after 
it began to rain, but were unsuccessful. The foot- 
prints doubtless had disappeared together with 
the scent that Tchort had found and lost. 

The search thereafter was aimless, except that 
they followed the general direction in which the 
trail had led before they lost it — toward the 
mountains. Burns had given them enough smoked 
ham, sea-biscuit and cheese for a lunch, so that 
they were prepared to spend the day in a hunt for 
Archie. They kept close to the stream most of the 
time, as they generally found the best walking 
along the bank. 

“ I wouldn’t have supposed a baidarka could 
be paddled up this creek so far,” said Mr. Nelson 
soon after they gave up the search for the trail 
and started up the shore, but Eobinson and 
Burns floated theirs.” 


238 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


These creeks are deceiving sometimes, an^ 
so are the baidarkas,^’ said Jim. The canoes 
are so light they float like a feather. * * 

An hour later, they found themselves in a pic- 
turesque spot half a mile from a mountain that 
arose with perpendicular wall from the edge of 
a low and comparatively level stretch. They were 
still keeping near the stream, which flowed along 
the base of the mountain and wound about like 
a snake in its course. The hills and mountains of 
Kadiak, as a rule, are of a gradually sloping char- 
acter. But here was a spot where nature seemed 
to specialize. The usual order of things was re- 
versed. The hills were jagged, and the mountains 
were picturesque with clitfs and huge rocks. In 
the level stretch before and to the right of them 
were numerous large stones and obelisks and 
rocky formations similar to those in the Garden 
of the Gods in Colorado. 

Heretofore in their nervous search for the 
missing Archie, the bear hunters had paid little 
attention to the scenery, but the beauty of this 
place could not be ignored, and they stopped to 
view their surroundings. 

This’d be a great home for the King o’ the 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 239 

Kadiaks/^ commented Mr. Nelson. He^d have 
a beautiful country to lord it over. ’ ’ 

‘ ^ Wouldn ’t he though ! ’ ^ exclaimed Ealph. ‘ ‘ If 
we could only find Archie, I^d be in favor o^ mov- 
ing our camp here. ’ ’ 

They continued their way toward the mountain, 
keeping constant lookout on all sides for signs of 
human habitation. Jim had said that he hoped 
to find a barabara or dugout in the mountains, 
and in it Archie and his kidnapper. Suddenly the 
tall hunter stopped, seized Mr. Nelson’s arm and 
pointed toward the perpendicular wall ahead. 

^ ‘ See there ! ” he exclaimed. 

With a thrill of half -hope, half-dread Mr. Nel- 
son looked in the direction indicated. Ealph 
looked also, but neither of them saw anything of 
special interest. 

There on that slope to the right,” continued 
Jim. Don’t you see somethin’ moving? ” 

I do,” replied Ealph excitedly, lifting a pair 
of field glasses to his eyes. He had carried them 
suspended by a strap from his shoulder the day 
before, and had not left them at the cave when 
they started on their search. 

It’s a hear, ain’t it? ” inquired Jim. 


240 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

“ Yes, it^s a bear,^’ replied Ealpb. ‘‘ An’ 
there’s another one there, too, just starting up. 
They’re climbing an awful steep place. They’re 
climbin’ up to Oh! ” 

‘‘ Ealph, what’s the matter? ” asked Mr. Nel- 
son, moved by the boy’s tone. 

‘ ‘ Archie ! Archie ! He ’s on a ledge there. 
And the bears are makin’ right for him.” 

“ What’s that? ” cried his father, snatching 
the glasses from the boy. 

Eight there on the face of the mountain. You 
can see them without glasses if you look close. 
There’s some one with him — his kidnapper, it 
must be.” 

Yes, you’re right,” agreed Mr. Nelson, as 
he looked through the binoculars. 

Let me look,” Jim requested. 

Mr. Nelson gave him the glasses, and Long 
gazed through them half a minute. Then he 
lowered them and said quietly: 

‘ ‘ I thought so. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Thought what? ” asked Mr. Nelson. 

That Archie’s kidnapper is Old Long Hair, 
an’ the bears climbin’ up there are Ole Midwit 
an’ his mate.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE FIGHT 

For a few moments neither Mr. Nelson nor 
Ralph could speak, so great was their astonish- 
ment. The possibility of such a thing had not oc- 
curred to them. In spite of the numerous and 
fairly well authenticated stories regarding the 
old man and the great bear, they were rather 
inclined to regard them as characters in a bit of 
local mythology. 

After a few exclamations of astonishment, 
father and son began to throw questions at their 
guide in this manner : 

How do you know? ’’ 

“ How long have you thought that? 

** Do you really think the bears live with him? ’’ 

“ Wait,” interrupted Jim, raising his hand for 
silence. ‘‘ The boy don't seem to be in any 
danger. The ole feller seems to be lettin’ him do 
as he pleases an’ the bears ain’t goin’ up to 
where they are. Ole Midwit’s just gone in a hole 
under where they’re standin’. Now the ole man’s 
241 


242 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


drawin’ sometliin’ up over the ledge. Looks like 
a pail o’ water. Now they’re goin’ back — looks 
like they’re goin’ into a cave.” 

‘‘ Then there’s one cave over another,” was 
Ealph’s conclusion. 

Must be,” said Jim. 

And that explains the whole mystery, don’t 
it! ” 

‘‘ About what? ” 

About Long Hair and Midwit living to- 
gether. ’ ’ 

Oh. Yes, I s’pose it does. They live so close 
together, the natives think they live in the same 
cave. But if a man can get up to the top cave, 
why can’t a bear? ” 

Neither Ealph nor his father had an answer to 
this question. 

What do you think we’d better do next? ” 
asked Mr. Nelson. 

Go right up in the cave an’ take the boy 
away,” replied Jim unhesitatingly. 

‘‘We may have to kill the hears first,” sug- 
gested Ealph. 

“ Would it break your heart to do that? ” asked 
his father. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 243 


I^d rather get Arch back with us first so he 
can help kill Old Midwit, ’ ^ replied the boy gener- 
ously. 

They continued on toward the mountain, keep- 
ing watch for a reappearance of Long Hair and 
Archie, but were disappointed. And another dis- 
appointment was in store for them on their ar- 
rival at the base of the perpendicular wall. So 
far as they could see, there was no way of reach- 
ing the shelf of rock up the mountain side, al- 
though the steep bear path leading in a round- 
about way to the lower cave was evident. The 
mouths of both caves, two hundred feet high, also 
could be seen from where they stood. 

How do they get up there*? asked Mr. Nel- 
son in a puzzled manner. “ The path stops at the 
lower cave, and there ’s ten or fifteen feet between 
the two of them.’^ 

There must be another entrance,” said 
Ralph, who had read a good many stories about 
mountain caves and had a keen imagination on 
the subject. 

Like as not the boy is right,” said Jim. 

The idea’s worth investigatin’. If you two’ll 
stay here an’ watch for ’em to come out again. 


244 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

1^11 go around the mountain an’ see what I can 
find. ’ ’ 

“You’d better take Tchort with you,” Mr. 
Nelson advised. “He’ll be company, and, be- 
sides, you don’t know what you’ll meet with.” 

“ I’ll take care o’ myself, all right,” replied 
Jim. “ You keep Tchort here. I’m not half as 
much afraid o’ what I might meet by accident as 
I am o’ what he might stir up. I might meet a 
couple o’ bears an’ say ‘ How d’y’ do,’ an’ pass 
on, but Tchort ’d turn ’em into devils. I don’t 
s’pose Ole Midwit an’ his wife’ll show their noses 
again to-day, but if they do, let ’em alone till I 
get back, and keep a grip on the dog’s collar.” 

With this advice, Jim turned and walked down 
the bank of the stream until he came to a narrow 
place. There he made a run and a jump, landing 
on the opposite side, and continued around the 
foot of the mountain. Mr. Nelson and Ealph 
watched him as he made his way slowly among 
the rocks, examining the side of the mountain 
carefully until he disappeared behind a great pile 
of rocks a few hundred yards from the stream. 
Then they turned their attention again to the 
ledge above. The river was between them and 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 245 

the rocky wall and around them was a very 
garden of boulders and huge rocks of irregular 
formation. Mr. Nelson and Ralph sat down on 
two boulders and began their waiting watch. 

‘ ‘ I wonder what Long Hair was drawing water 
up from the river for? said Ralph. Then as a 
new idea came to him, he slapped his hand on his 
thigh saying : 

‘ ‘ I know how we can bring the old fellow out. ’ ^ 
How? ’’ asked his father. 

By throwing stones into his cave. We can 
point our revolvers at him and threaten to shoot 
him if he starts to run back. ’ ’ 

But he could drop down on the ledge and 
crawl back,^^ objected Mr. Nelson. Besides, 
some of our stones might fall short and go into 
the bears’ cave and bring them out. We don’t 
want to risk that. I think we had better wait 
until Jim comes back before we start anything of 
that sort.” 

Their watch continued without developments 
for a quarter of an hour, when something hap- 
pened very suddenly. A commotion on the ledge 
called their attention, and two men were seen to 


246 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

be locked in a death struggle. One of them was 
Old Long Hair. The other 

‘‘ It’s Archie, and he’ll be killed,” cried Ealph, 
as he sprang and ran toward the river as if he 
would dash across. At the edge he stopped. 
The agony of the moment was intense. Mr. Nel- 
son, however, had viewed the struggle more 
calmly, and saw that his son was mistaken. 

No, Ealph,” he said, that isn’t Archie. It’s 
a man.” 

Eelieved by his father’s assurance, Ealph 
looked more carefully at the fighters. Yes, his 
father was right: Archie was not one of them. 
It did not occur to him then to wonder who Long 
Hair’s antagonist might be. Of course he was a 
stranger. 

The fight was fiercely desperate. Long Hair 
was larger and more powerful in spite of his ap- 
parent age. His wild out-door life seemed to 
have given him muscles of steel. When they ap- 
peared on the ledge, the cave dweller was pur- 
suing the other, who turned and closed with him 
on seeing that he could not escape. Back and 
forth they swayed, now close to the edge and 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 247 

then back against the wall or into the mouth of 
the cave. 

The ledge was about twenty feet long and ten 
or twelve feet wide. The odds seemed to be in 
favor of Long Hair, but he was evidently afraid 
of getting too close to the edge. Probably he knew 
that he could not throw his opponent over without 
being dragged after him. The agility of the 
smaller man caused Long Hair a good deal of 
trouble. Several times he almost had him on his 
back, but each time the little fellow wriggled into 
a better position. In this manner the contest 
took on the appearance of a test of endurance. 

Eealizing that this was his only chance of sav- 
ing himself, the smaller man resorted to the tac- 
tics of a professional wrestler. He rested as 
much as possible, and induced the crazy man to 
exert himself violently. Finally, believing that 
the latter was nearly exhausted, he seized him by 
one leg and attempted to upset him. Each man 
now put forth' a supreme effort, and, locked in a 
death embrace, they staggered out toward the 
edge, wavered a moment and plunged over. 

They fell into the water at the foot of the wall. 
Long Hair fell headfirst and lay still. The water 


248 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

was only two feet deep, and the smaller man sat 
up, but was unable to get on his feet. The cur- 
rent was swift, and seemed to distress him in his 
efforts to keep his balance. Evidently he was 
seriously injured. 

Mr. Nelson and Ealph hastened to the rescue. 
The bank was low, and they stepped in and waded 
to the injured men. Mr. Nelson directed his at- 
tention to Long Hair, and Ralph took hold of the 
other man and tried to assist him to his feet. As 
he did so, he almost let go his hold, so great was 
his astonishment on getting a close look at his 
face. It was Scott Keeler. 

But this was no time for emotion. The man 
was helpless ; his legs were useless. Ralph exerted 
all his strength and began to drag him toward the 
bank. This was not difficult, as the water reduced 
his weight. He got the man to the bank and 
dragged him ashore, and then tried to set him up 
against a large rock, but he fell over. Keeler had 
fainted. 

Mr. Nelson, attempting to render a similar 
service to Long Hair, had soon discovered that his 
efforts were useless. As he raised the skin-clad 
form out of the water, the head fell back in a 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 249 


manner that could not be misunderstood. The 
neck was broken. 

After dragging the body ashore, Mr. Nelson 
turned to assist Ralph. He saw Keeler fall over 
in a faint, and then recognized him. 

“ Well! ” he exclaimed, as he kneeled over the 
unconscious man and began to make an examina- 
tion of him. ‘‘Jim was right in every detail 
about this fellow, wasn’t he? Keeler was in- 
terested in Long Hair for some mysterious rea- 
son.” 

“ He’s hurt bad,” said Ralph. “ He couldn’t 
use his legs at all. ’ ’ 

“ They’re broken, both of them,” replied Mr. 
Nelson after lifting them carefully one after the 
other. 

The moving of his limbs caused Keeler to re- 
vive with a groan. He opened his eyes, recognized 
his rescuers for the first time, and submitted to 
their ministrations with a sort of helpless wonder. 

“ How did you happen to be here? ” he asked 
weakly. 

“ Just happened to, I guess,” replied Mr. Nel- 
son. “ You must have had a guardian angel 
watching over you.” 


250 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


‘ ‘ Guardian devil more likely, ’ ^ declared tlie in- 
jured man. ‘‘I’m done for, I guess. I feel my- 
self slippin’ away. How’s Hank? ” 

“ Hank who? ” 

“ Oh — Long Hair, the feller I had the fight 
with. ’ ’ 

“He’s dead,” replied Mr. Nelson solemnly. 

“ Is he? I’m glad of it. I’ve had my revenge 
anyway. ’ ’ 

“ Ralph,” said Mr. Nelson, “ hustle around and 
find some fuel to build a fire. We’ve got to warm 
this man up. It’s lucky the day is as warm as it 
is, or he’d freeze to death before we could start a 
blaze. ’ ’ 

“ Everything’s wet,” said Ralph. “ It’ll be 
pretty hard to start one. ’ ’ 

“ There’s a few stunted spruce over there. Go 
and see if you can’t tear off some of the limbs. 
Maybe there’s enough cones and dead wood on 
the ground. They’re wet, but we’ll see what we 
can do with ’em. I’ll help you in a minute.” 

Ralph was about to obey this order, when 
Tchort, with a savage growl, ran up the bank a 
few rods and sprang across the stream. Looking 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 251 

around, the boy saw the cause of the dog^s excite- 
ment. 

‘ ‘ Father ! ^ ^ he cried ; ^ ‘ the bears are coming 
down. Look! 

Mr. Nelson sprang to his feet. Sure enough, 
Old Midwit was shambling down the path from 
his cave, and his mate was just coming out. 

Well make a stand on the river bank,’’ cried 
Mr. Nelson, picking up his bow and drawing an 
arrow. ‘ ‘ Get your revolver ready to use at close 
range. We’ll use our bows until they get into the 
river, and then ” 

He did not finish the sentence. Tchort was 
standing at the foot of the path, his teeth glisten- 
ing and the hair on his back standing on end, 
while the two bears came down with clumsy speed 
and hungry eagerness. 


CHAPTER XXIIl 


THE LAST OF THE KING OF THE KADIAKS 

As Old Midwit reached the foot of the steep 
descent, Tchort jumped aside and flew at his hind 
legs. But the bear wheeled around with wonder- 
ful agility, and the dog narrowly escaped a knock- 
out blow. The bear then continued toward the 
stream, whirling about every few moments to 
strike at the annoying ‘ ‘ husky, ’ ’ who was careful 
to keep out of his reach. 

Ralph shot the first arrow. Big bruin was near 
the stream and turned to give Tchort a heavy 
slap, when the shaft pierced his right shoulder 
and stuck out like a porcupine quill. 

Good for you, Ralph! Do it again! Only, 
hit hm in the eye next time. ’ ’ 

The sound of that voice thrilled the young 
archer with such joy that he felt a great impulse 
to rush toward its owner and throw his arms 
around him. 

Oh, Arch, I^m so glad,’’ he cried. We were 
252 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 253 

afraid we never see you alive again. Come on 
and help kill Old Midwit. ^ ^ 

Jim had found Archie just as the latter was 
emerging from the cave. The escaping prisoner 
had experienced little difficulty in finding his way 
out, for there were few branch passages and those 
were small. Moreover, he was well supplied with 
matches to light his way. 

Jim and Archie lost no time in hastening back 
to the spot where Long had left Mr. Nelson and 
Ealph. On the way, Archie related his expe- 
riences and they planned how they would draw 
Old Midwit and his mate from their cave and slay 
them. But two surprises awaited the two hunters. 
These were the just-finished man-fight and the 
just-beginning bear-man-dog fight. 

Archie saw the forms of Long Hair and Keeler 
lying on the ground and recognized them, hut this 
was no time to ask questions. He and Jim were 
soon lined up with Mr. Nelson and Ealph along 
the stream, ready to send arrows into the now 
thoroughly enraged monster. 

Are you goin’ to shoot for his eye? ” Ealph 
inquired of Jim as Old Midwit splashed into the 
water. 


254 


The Boys* Big Game Series 


Yes, an’ I’m goin’ to hit it,” replied Jim. 

Yon take the left eye, and I’ll take the right,” 
suggested Ralph. 

‘ ‘ All right, ’ ’ agreed Long, and the arrows flew. 

Archie and Mr. Nelson also shot at the same 
time, and every one of the shafts hit the mark. 
Jim, of course, hit the bear’s left eye. He would 
have been disgusted if he had missed. But what 
particularly elated Ralph was the fact that he had 
made as good a shot as the tall hunter. Archie, 
too, had cause to he proud of his shot. Just as he 
was about to let an arrow fly at the bear’s neck, 
the beast opened its mouth in a fit of rage, and 
the boy sent the shaft right into its throat. Mr. 
Nelson’s arrow struck the animal in the neck. 

That was more than Old Midwit could stand. 
He fell over in the water, struggled violently a 
few moments and then lay still. 

But the hunters had no time to spend in con- 
gratulating themselves. Mrs. Midwit was close 
behind her husband, ferocious and bent on re- 
venge. Tchort had turned his attention to her, 
but she gave little notice at first to the dog. She 
was met on the bank of the river with a volley of 
arrows, and in midstream with another. All eight 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 255 


stuck in her body but did not slacken her speed. 
Tchort got a vise-grip on one of her hind legs and 
she dragged him to the shore. There, the dog 
got a foothold and gave her so much trouble that 
she was forced to turn on him. 

The movements of the two beasts were now so 
violent and so rapid that the hunters were un- 
willing to risk hitting the dog. Ealph and Archie 
had become much attached to Tchort by this time, 
although the wolf blood in him had made him any- 
thing but an affectionate animal. They watched 
eagerly for an opportunity to aid their canine, 
but none came. It was the husky’s ” last fight. 

Suddenly, the dog’s body shot into the air and 
landed twenty feet away. A heavy, thud-like re- 
port accompanied the blow from the bear’s paw. 
Tchort hardly moved after his body touched the 
ground. 

Then the bear made a dash for the first hunter 
that her eyes fell on. This happened to be Mr. 
Nelson, who sent an arrow into the animal’s left 
shoulder and then threw his bow away and drew 
his revolver. It was a matter of life and death 
with him now. He fired once, but, as examination 
proved later, the ball glanced from the bear’s 


256 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

forehead. Then he jumped aside and ran. He 
dared not stand his ground any longer. 

Ealph probably saved his father’s life. True, 
Jim Long and Archie sent arrows into the bear at 
about the same time, but they were not in posi- 
tion to make fatal shots. Ealph ’s shot sank in 
behind the left foreleg, and the bear fell over. 
The arrow had reached her heart. 

Hooray! WeVe done it! ” cried the de- 
lighted boy. We’ve killed Old Midwit and his 
mate, and found Old Long Hair — but,’^ his 
voice dropped its tone of triumph, ‘‘ Old Long 
Hair ’s dead. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Did the bears kill him? ” asked Archie. 

‘‘ No, he and Keeler had a fight and they fell 
off the ledge. But, say, Arch, what was Keeler 
doing in Long Hair’s cave? ” 

Long Hair was crazy,” began Archie. 

He must have been to live in such a place,” 
observed Mr. Nelson. 

Yes, he was as crazy as a loon. I think he 
and Keeler ’d stolen a lot of money some place 
ten years ago and Long Hair ran off with all of 
it. Keeler ’d been hunting for him ever since, to 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 257 

get his share. He called him Hank, or Henry 
Loomis.’’ 

Yes, it’s all true. I might as well ’fess up, 
seein’ it’s all up with me.” 

All turned toward the injured man, who was 
lying on the ground a few yards away. It was 
Keeler who had spoken. 

We won’t bother about your confession now,” 
said Mr. Kelson. ‘‘ We’ll build a fire and try to 
make you comfortable first.” 

You’d better listen while I can talk,” insisted 
Keeler. ‘ ^ I ’m goin ’ to croak pretty soon. That 
was a mean trick I played on you. Long, when we 
was pals. An’ I put another over on Burns an’ 
Eobinson yesterday.” 

Yes, an’ ’twas no fault o’ yourn that Eobin- 
son wasn’t killed,” said Jim severely. 

‘‘ Wasn’t he killed? Say, I’m glad o’ that. 
I’d never killed a man in my life an’ I felt just like 
a murderer when I deserted him after that bear ’d 
knocked ’im down.” 

‘ ‘ I thought that was the way it happened, ’ ’ de- 
clared Jim. 

The hunters now refused to hear any more of 
the injured man’s story until they had made him 


258 The Boys* Big Game Series 

as comfortable as possible. They gathered a pile 
of dead wood and made a fire after much labor 
and infinite patience with the wet fuel. Unfortu- 
nately, they did not have their medicine kit with 
them, but each of them had articles of clothing 
that could be used for bandages if necessary. 

After all had been done that seemed possible 
for the comfort of the injured man, he was ques- 
tioned further regarding his experiences that led 
up to the fight with Old Long Hair, or Henry 
Loomis. He needed no urging, as he believed he 
was about to die, and wished to get his story off 
his mind. 

Hank an’ I robbed a bank in Seattle ten years 
ago,” he said. ‘‘We got a hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars. I was afraid o’ runnin’ the 
risk of carryin’ the money myself, so I trusted it 
with Hank, an’ he agreed to meet me in Victoria, 
where we’d divvy up. He didn’t meet me, an’ 
that’s about all there is to it. I’ve been on his 
trail ever since, lookin’ for my share o’ the money 
or revenge.” 

“ Why did you stop in your hunt for Long 
Hair three years ago after you’d run off with my 
outfit? ” inquired Jim. 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 259 

’Cause I got my eye hurt an’ had to go back 
to the States an’ have it treated.” 

‘ ‘ Do you know what he did with his money ? ’ ’ 
asked Ralph. 

^^/do.” 

Everybody turned toward Archie, who volun- 
teered this reply. The boy had thrust his hand into 
his pocket and drawn out a handful of gold coins. 

Here’s my evidence,” he continued. ‘‘ Long 
Hair told me he had milions. ’ ’ 

The coins were examined eagerly by Mr. Nel- 
son and Ralph. Archie had already shown them 
to Jim. 

‘ ^ He must have most of the swag yet, ’ ’ declared 
Keeler eagerly. I understand he’s been in 
these mountains almost ten years.” 

‘ ‘ How much did Cho wish get out o ’ him ? ’’in- 
quired Jim. 

Not very much, I don’t think,” replied 
Keeler. ‘‘ The half-breed was bleedin’ him, but 
he didn’t know how to work it right. He was 
satisfied with a few dollars now an’ then, an’ he 
ought to got it by the hundreds.” 

He was with you on both trips, wasn’t he? ” 
‘‘Yes. I ran onto him by accident this time. 


260 The Boys* Big Game Series 

He suspected somethin^ doin’ on the first trip, an’ 
after I left him, he hunted until he found Long 
Hair an’ then began to work him.” 

‘ ‘ But he was afraid of him, ’ ’ said Archie. 

Yes, he was. He thought the old fellow was 
somethin’ more’n a human bein’, I guess. That’s 
probably the reason he didn’t dare to work him 
for more. He’s in the cave now, by the way, an’ 
he’ll find the money an’ get away with it, if you 
don’t stop him.” 

Hoes he know where it isf ” asked Mr. 
Nelson. 

I don’t know,” replied Keeler; but I don’t 
think he does.” 

I know just about where it is,” said Archie. 

Long Hair didn’t go very far from a certain 
spot when he got these coins for me.” 

Archie now gave a detailed account of his ex- 
perience in the cave. Meanwhile, it became evi- 
dent that Keeler could not last much longer. He 
was sinking rapidly. At the close of the boy’s 
story, he said weakly : 

‘‘I’m slippin’ away; come close. IVe got 
somethin’ more to tell.” 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 261 

The hunters moved nearer, and the dying man 
continued : 

<< I’ve got an old mother who knows I’m a bad 
lot, hut she don’t know where I am. I wish you’d 
tell her when I’m gone, that I died sorry — sorry 
— My name isn’t Keeler or Chapman. It’s Ed- 
ward Eiddle. My mother ’s name is — ” 

Mr. Nelson, Jim and the boys leaned forward 
to catch the name and address of the best friend 
of this expiring criminal, but it did not come. Ac- 
companied by a few gasps of agony, the death 
change came over him and he was gone. Some- 
where in the world was a mother, if she still lived, 
whose broken heart would have been cheered at 
the message of repentance from her dying son. 

After they returned to the United States, Mr. 
Nelson advertised for the mother of Edward Eid- 
dle, but received no reply. 

We must bury these men,” said Mr. Nelson, 
as he removed the coat of Keeler, or Eiddle, and 
laid it over the face of the corpse. But we can’t 
do it now. We’ll have to come hack with a spade 
and shovel.” 

The face of the corpse of Henry Loomis was 
covered in like manner and the hunters then set 


262 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


ont for the entrance of Long Hair’s cave to look 
for the money believed to be hidden there. 

Old Long Hair wasn’t such an old man, after 
all,” observed Mr. Nelson soon after they started. 

I don’t believe he was more’n forty-five years 
old.” 

But his hair was gray,” Jim argued. How 
could he been so young with all that gray hairf ” 
‘‘ There’s where you’re mistaken,” replied Mr. 
Nelson. It wasn’t gray; it was white. He’s 
run up against an experience that made him in- 
sane and turned his hair white. ’ ’ 

When they reached the mouth of the cave the 
lantern was lighted. 

Don’t you think one of us ought to stay here 
at the mouth and watch for the half-breed? ” sug- 
gested Ralph. ‘‘ Archie says he’s in the cave, an’ 
he might try to sneak past us in the dark with the 
money.” 

‘‘We’ve got the lantern,” said Mr. Nelson. 

“ Yes, but there are probably dark corners he 
could hide in till we got past. ’ ’ 

“ He’s got as much right to the money as we 
have, hasn’t he, reasoned Archie. “If he gets 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 263 

it first, we haven ’t any right to take it away from 
him/^ 

It’s onr duty to find the money and return 
it to the bank from which it was stolen,” said 
Mr. Nelson. 

It was arranged that Jim Long should stay at 
the entrance of the cave while the others went in 
and searched for the stolen treasure. The latter 
three proceeded through the passage, examining 
with much interest the glittering formations on 
the walls and ceiling until the hiding place of the 
treasure was found, less than a hundred feet from 
the great room in which Old Long Hair had made 
his home. 

Mr. Nelson, who was carrying the lantern, made 
the discovery. In a small alcove, partly hidden 
by a number of low-hanging stalactites, he found 
a dozen tin boxes much corroded by the dampness. 
They were lying here and there in disorder, all of 
them open. 

‘‘ Here’s the treasure chamber,” announced 
Mr. Nelson, drawing out several boxes and exam- 
ining them. But somebody’s got ahead of us.” 

It’s the half-breed,” said Archie. ‘‘ He’s 
taken all the gold. Here’s a piece he dropped.” 


264 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

The boy picked up a gold eagle and held it close 
to the lantern. Meanwhile, his uncle was examin- 
ing the contents of one of the boxes. 

There’s been a fortune of paper money in 
some o’ these boxes, but it’s turned to powder 
by the worms and bugs and dampness, ’ ’ said Mr. 
Nelson. The name of the bank’s on the boxes.” 

Some of them must have had gold, and the 
half-breed’s emptied ’em,” said Archie. He 
was smart enough not to carry the money away 
in the boxes.” 

‘‘We’d better hustle out and tell Jim, and 
maybe we can catch the fellow,” suggested Ealph. 

“I’m going to take one of the boxes of money 
dust along,” said Mr. Nelson. 

Without more ado they hastened toward the 
entrance of the cave. Outside they found Jim 
covering Chowish Kailudapack with a revolver. 
The native had done just what Ealph had feared 
— hidden in a dark recess of the cave and slipped 
out after the treasure hunters passed him. On 
the ground lay a goatskin in which Chowish was 
carrying the fortune he had found. 

“He beat you to it,” Jim said laughingly; 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 265 


but I caugbt him as be was coinin’ out. We’re 
old acquaintances, ain’t we, Chowisli? ” 

The half-breed was thoroughly frightened. Evi- 
dently he expected no gentle dealing from Jim 
Long. He begged for mercy, and declared that 
he had tried to persuade Keeler, or Eiddle, not to 
rob the tall hunter three years before. 

I don’t believe a word you say,” replied 
Long. “ You’re a liar and a rascal. But I’ve got 
no grudge against you. You found the gold for 
us and saved us the trouble of bringing it out of 
the cave. For all I care, you can go, and good 
riddance. But don’t let me catch you on this part 
of the island again or I’ll stick several arrows 
clean through you. Kow get out of here as fast 
as you can.” 

The speech was delivered in the native lan- 
guage, but most of it was understood by the other 
bear-hunters, who had learned a good deal of 
Euss-Aleut by this time. Chowish needed no 
second command of such a nature and started off 
on a run. The hunters then turned their atten- 
tion to the money in the goatskin. It consisted 
of a heavy load of five, ten, and twenty-dollar gold 


266 


The Boys^ Big Game Series 


pieces. Mr. Nelson proposed that they count 
them, and his suggestion was followed. 

<< There’s no hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
lars here, ’ ’ said Ealph as he dropped on his knees 
and began to pile up the coins in hundred-dollar 
piles. 

No,” replied his father. I guess the swag 
was mostly paper money, and that’s all turned 
to powder now. ’ ’ 

The count resulted in a total of $11,030. This 
was disappointing, for they had hoped to be able 
to return a much larger portion of the stolen 
money to the Seattle bank. 

We’ll go back an’ skin the bears an’ then re- 
turn to camp,” said Jim as he proceeded to tie 
the gold in the goatskin. 

In a short time they were at the scene of the 
bear killing, where two hours were spent skinning 
the bears and preparing and eating dinner. Then 
they journeyed back to the cave-camp. 

Next day, accompanied by Eobinson and Burns 
they returned again and buried the bodies of the 
two bank robbers and Tchort. They also made 
a thorough examination of the two caves, for they 
found the passage that Old Long Hair had cut 


The King Bear of Kadiak Island 267 

between liis own and the home of Old Midwit. It 
was a slanting tnnnel, too small to admit the body 
of a bear, cut through the floor of the upper cave 
at a place where it was not more than five feet 
thick. The lower cave at this point was so small 

that they could pass through it only by crawling. 

* * * * * 

After the death of the King of the Kadiaks and 
Old Long Hair, hunting on Kadiak Island for the 
Kelson party was tame in comparison with past 
experiences. They killed no more bear that sea- 
son. In fact, they seemed to have slain the last 
in that part of the island. However, they got a 
number of goatskins and two bald-headed eagles. 

Robinson and Burns remained with them at the 
barabara and at the cave-camp until the latter 
part of June, when they all returned to Kadiak. 
Meanwhile Jim Long became better acquainted 
with the Englishmen and revised his opinion of 
them somewhat. 

As they had two months before the opening of 
school, the hunters took a steamer trip to Nome. 
Burns and Robinson accompanied them. At 
Nome the two parties separated, the English- 
men starting on a hunting trip up the Yukon. 


268 The Boys^ Big Game Series 

On tlieir return the Nelson party took the excur- 
sion to Skagway, and thence into the interior on 
the White Pass and Yukon Eailway. This af- 
forded them a trip over the famous White Pass 
at the international boundary line and on the 
Yukon Eiver. 

Then they sailed for home, arriving three days 
before the opening of school and delighting Mrs. 
Nelson and Aleta with three otter skins, all their 
friends with the recital of wonderful adventures, 
and the newspaper reporters with a story that 
was published far and wide. The return of the 
treasure to the Seattle bank was made through 
an admiralty court, one-third being divided 
among the hunters as salvage. 



The 

Boy Scouts 
of the Air Books 

By GORDON STUART 

Are stirring stories of adven- 
ture in which real boys, clean- 
cut and wide-awake, do the 
things other wide-awake boys 
like to read about. 

Four titles, 
per volume 
6o cents 


Itles^ \ 

wme, \ \ 


THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT 
EAGLE CAMP 


THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT 
GREENWOOD SCHOOL 


THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN 
INDIAN LAND 


THE 


BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN 
NORTHERN WILDS 


Splendid Illustrations by Norman Hall 


Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago 


The Best Aviation Stories for Boys 



THE AEROPUNE BOTS SERIES 

The 


THEAEROPLANEWS OWES 

If 

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MEETS SCOUT 

ASHTCN LAMAO 

Aero- 





plane 



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1 


T hese are the newest and most exciting 
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j. IN THE CLOUDS FOR UNCLE SAM 
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Or, Flying for Fun 

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6. BATTLING THE BIGHORN 

Or, The Aeroplane in the Rockies 

7. WHEN SCOUT MEETS SCOUT 
Or, The Aeroplane Spy 

Fully illustrated. Colored frontispiece. 

Cloth, i2mo. 60 cents each. 


Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago 




Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago 


SEVEN TITLES 


Fascinating stories of that wonderful region of 
invention where imagination and reality so nearly 
meet. There is no more interesting field for stories 
for wide-awake boys. Mr. Sayler combines a re- 
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knowledge that makes these books correct in all 
airship details. Full of adventure without 
sensational. 


The make-up of these hooks is strictly up- 
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The illustrations are full of dash and vim. 
Standard novel size, i2mo. Price $i.oo each. 


1 . 

2 . 

а. 

4 . 

5 . 

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7 . 


THE AIRSHIP BOYS Or, The Quest of the Aztec 
THE AIRSHIP BOYS ADRIFT Or, Saved by an 
THE AIRSHIP BOYS DUE NORTH Or, By Balloon to the 
THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN THE BARREN LANDS Or, The Secret of 
the White Eskimos 

THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN FINANCE Or, The Flight of the 
Cow 

THE AIRSHIP BOYS’ OCEAN FLYER Or/ New York Ito London 
in Twelve Hours 

THE AIRSHIP BOYS AS DETECTIVES Or, On Secret Service 
Cloudland 


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